The Power of Substitution | Simplifying Calculations, Solving Equations, and Evaluating Functions

Substitution

In mathematics, substitution refers to the process of replacing a variable or expression with another variable or expression of the same or equivalent value

In mathematics, substitution refers to the process of replacing a variable or expression with another variable or expression of the same or equivalent value. It is a fundamental concept used in solving equations, simplifying expressions, and evaluating functions.

In algebra, substitution is commonly used to find the value of a variable that satisfies an equation. For example, if we have the equation 3x + 5 = 14, we can substitute the value of x by replacing it with another variable or an expression that represents its value. Let’s say we choose to substitute x with 3. Then, we would have 3(3) + 5 = 14, which simplifies to 9 + 5 = 14. By substituting the value, we can determine if it satisfies the equation or not.

Similarly, substitution is used to simplify expressions. For instance, if we have the expression 2x + 3y – 5x + 2y, we can substitute x with another value or expression, say 4, to simplify it. So, substituting x with 4, we get 2(4) + 3y – 5(4) + 2y, which simplifies to 8 + 3y – 20 + 2y.

Substitution is also applied when evaluating functions. For example, if we have a function f(x) = 2x + 5, and we want to evaluate f(3), we substitute the value of x with 3 in the function. Thus, f(3) = 2(3) + 5 = 6 + 5 = 11.

Overall, substitution is a powerful tool in mathematics that allows us to replace variables or expressions, providing a way to simplify calculations, solve equations, and evaluate functions.

More Answers: