Mat 117 Dqs

1. Week 1 DQ 1:

Explain in your own words how to evaluate an algebraic expression for a given value of a variable (p 223). Demonstrate the process with an example that includes at least one exponent. Provide an example for your classmates to try.

An algebraic expression is a math problem that does not have an equal sign at the end of it. Now to properly evaluate an algebraic expression one must replace the variable with the given number and then follow the order of operations. The order of operations is parentheses, exponents, multiply, divide, and then add and subtract from the left side to the right side of the equation to simplify it down to its simplest terms.

Example

(4)^4/16–(2) ^3 First thing to do it figure out the exponents since there are no parentheses

256/16-8 Once the exponents are figured out then follow the order of operations

16-8

8

Class example:

3(2^2) ^3-(-2^5) ^2

2. Week 1 DQ 2:

Explain the product rule, quotient rule and power rule for exponents in your own words. Provide step by step explanations of an example of each one of these rules.

The product rule for exponents it very simple, as long as the base numbers are the same all one really has to do it just add the exponents. Now if the base numbers are not the same then one actually has to multiply the numbers as many times as the exponent indicates.

Example: T^7-T^9

=T^ (7+9)

=T^16

The quotient rule is just as simple as the product rule. When you are dividing numbers that have the same base and also have exponents one just subtracts the exponents. Now they have to be subtracted in the right order or the answer will be wrong. The correct way to subtract the exponents is by subtracting the denominator by the numerator.

Example: Y^9/Y^5

Y^ (9-5)

Y^4

Exponents are also known as power, as an example one may hear someone say three to the fourth power. When that person...