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Chapter 8 · Habits · page 37 of 68

Reading the instruction

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standardEverywhere
practiceMixed practice

The instruction word tells you what kind of answer is wanted. Evaluate means a number. Simplify means the shortest equivalent expression. Expand means remove parentheses. Solve means find the value of the variable. The same expression can have different right answers under different instructions.

How to use it

  1. Evaluate: compute until you have one number.
  2. Simplify: combine like terms, reduce fractions, no parentheses.
  3. Expand: distribute. Do not solve for anything.
  4. Solve: end with variable = number.

Example

Simplify: 2(x+3)→2x+6\text{Simplify: } 2(x+3) \to 2x + 6
Solve: 2(x+3)=10→x=2\text{Solve: } 2(x+3) = 10 \to x = 2

Where it goes wrong

  • Trying to "solve" an expression that has no equals sign.
  • Giving 6/8 when the instruction says simplest form. Right number, wrong form.

Related

Like termsWhat an equation isEquivalent fractions and simplest form