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#1 2013-03-07 08:20:55
- Al-Allo
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Evaluate algebraic expression
Hi
-a+3*(a-c)+c^2-a*c^2
a=-2
b=4
c=-5
i keep getting -64, would you agree with me or disagree ?
thanks
Last edited by Al-Allo (2013-03-07 08:25:35)
#2 2013-03-07 08:41:19
- bob bundy
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
hi Al-Allo
No I don't agree.
It looks like you are doing -(a*c)^2 rather than -a times (csquared)
I suggest you do these steps separately and then add them:
-a
3*(a-c)
c^2
(-a)*c^2
Bob
Last edited by bob bundy (2013-03-07 08:44:54)
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
#5 2013-03-07 08:49:22
- bob bundy
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
hi muxdemux
That's not what I'm getting???
Bob
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
#7 2013-03-07 08:55:09
- Al-Allo
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
I found this website http://www.myalgebra.com/algebra_solver.aspx
And It gets also -64 And not -54 ....Any suggestions ?
#8 2013-03-07 09:14:55
- muxdemux
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
I'm getting 86 with the algebra solver you linked.
Sorry about my previous post. I subbed into the equivalent expression Wolfram Alpha came up with instead of the original. I don't see any reason the answer should be different though.
Why don't you show your working, Allo?
#9 2013-03-07 09:15:23
- bob bundy
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
Sorry muxdemux, I was wrong before. I do get the same as you.
I didn't follow your working though. I'm glad you explained where it came from.
Bob
Last edited by bob bundy (2013-03-07 09:27:13)
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
#10 2013-03-07 09:26:41
- Al-Allo
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
Ok, I got the same answer as you but may you explain me something ?
Why do you put-5 in to parantheses ?
it doesn't have any, -5^2 = -(5X5)=-25
How is this wrong ?
#11 2013-03-07 09:29:12
- bob bundy
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
Because minus 5 squared means multiply minus 5 by itself. ie. -5 x -5 = +25
are not the same thing.
Bob
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
#12 2013-03-07 09:36:18
- Al-Allo
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
Ok...That's weird, I thought that it needed to be specified by parentheses so we could include the minus signs. Oh well, thanks for your help. Neither the exercise or me got it ^^
#13 2013-03-07 09:39:46
- bob bundy
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
You are asked to evaluate c^2 (amongst other things of course ... but let's just concentrate on that bit)
So evaluate -5 squared
I put in the bracket to explain why that becomes +25.
Try this on a calculator.
Enter 5, switch it to negative with the +/- button, and store it.
Then do memory recall and press the square button.
Bob
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
#14 2013-03-07 09:43:34
- Al-Allo
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
bob bundy wrote:
You are asked to evaluate c^2 (amongst other things of course ... but let's just concentrate on that bit)
So evaluate -5 squared
I put in the bracket to explain why that becomes +25.
Try this on a calculator.
Enter 5, switch it to negative with the +/- button, and store it.
Then do memory recall and press the square button.
Bob
Yes, It's ok.
I understand that but it's just I had that memory which didn't seem to agree with you (Like you were distabilizing my foundations, but it's for my good 
)
#15 2013-03-07 09:45:51
- bob bundy
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
We all need our foundations to be destabilized sometimes.
bob
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
#16 2013-03-07 09:47:38
- Al-Allo
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
Yes, even when it's hard to admit we were wrong. Curiously, are you people mathematicians or proffesors ? If If it's okay with you to answer ...
#17 2013-03-07 17:21:57
- muxdemux
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
Neither the exercise or me got it
Maybe... You might want to double check that you typed the equation properly in your original post. (Does your textbook really say
?)are you people mathematicians or proffesors
I'm just some guy from Australia lol. I'm studying at university right now, but I'm definitely not a professor! I'm not even studying to become a mathematician. Though math is needed in a lot of different subjects.
#18 2013-03-07 19:11:42
- bob bundy
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
Hi Al-Allo
Al-Allo wrote:
are you people mathematicians or proffesors ?
I am a retired teacher (of maths). In French the word 'professeur' means teacher.
muxdemux wrote:
check that you typed the equation properly in your original post
You have a value for 'b' but it isn't used in the question. Maybe there should be a 'b' in it?
Bob
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
#19 2013-03-08 02:49:31
- Al-Allo
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Re: Evaluate algebraic expression
Nah, there isn't any. The b was for other equations.. ^^ Thank you for your help, I love this forum.!