GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

8.5 Substitution into expressions and formulae — Practise with help

Attempt each question before opening a hint. Reveal the full working to check your method.

Warm-up: remember

Answer these from memory. Do not look back at the section.

  1. Work out 2+3×42+3\times4.
  2. Substitute x=5x=5 into x+3x+3.
Check the warm-up
  1. 1414. Multiply before adding.
  2. 88.

If an answer differs, revisit Section 1.4 for the order of operations and Section 8.1 for substitution.

Practise with help

1. Find 2a+52a+5 when a=3a=3.

Hint

Substitute the values in brackets, then follow the order of operations.

Next step

Replace each letter with its stated value in brackets. Evaluate powers before other operations.

Full working

2(3)+5=112(3)+5=11.

2. Find x2+4x^2+4 when x=−3x=-3.

Hint

Substitute the values in brackets, then follow the order of operations.

Next step

Replace each letter with its stated value in brackets. Evaluate powers before other operations.

Full working

(−3)2+4=13(-3)^2+4=13.

3. Find 3p−2q3p-2q when p=4p=4 and q=5q=5.

Hint

Substitute the values in brackets, then follow the order of operations.

Next step

Replace each letter with its stated value in brackets. Evaluate powers before other operations.

Full working

12−10=212-10=2.

4. Find A=lwA=lw when l=8l=8 and w=3.5w=3.5.

Hint

Substitute the values in brackets, then follow the order of operations.

Next step

Replace each letter with its stated value in brackets. Evaluate powers before other operations.

Full working

A=8(3.5)=28A=8(3.5)=28 square units.

5. Find v=u+atv=u+at when u=4u=4, a=3a=3 and t=5t=5.

Hint

Substitute the values in brackets, then follow the order of operations.

Next step

Replace each letter with its stated value in brackets. Evaluate powers before other operations.

Full working

v=4+3(5)=19v=4+3(5)=19.

6. Find 3x2−23x^2-2 when x=−2x=-2.

Hint

Substitute the values in brackets, then follow the order of operations.

Next step

Replace each letter with its stated value in brackets. Evaluate powers before other operations.

Full working

3(−2)2−2=103(-2)^2-2=10.

7. Find 5r−25r-2 when r=6r=6.

Hint

Substitute the values in brackets, then follow the order of operations.

Next step

Replace each letter with its stated value in brackets. Evaluate powers before other operations.

Full working

5(6)−2=285(6)-2=28.

8. Find P=2l+2wP=2l+2w when l=7,w=3l=7,w=3.

Hint

Substitute the values in brackets, then follow the order of operations.

Next step

Replace each letter with its stated value in brackets. Evaluate powers before other operations.

Full working

P=2(7)+2(3)=20P=2(7)+2(3)=20.

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