Calculate the value of the algebraic expression x^2 - 4y given that x = -5 and y = -2. Wha… — Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Calculate the value of the algebraic expression $x^2 - 4y$ given that $x = -5$ and $y = -2$ . What is the final value?

Answer: 33

Answer

By correctly applying substitution and the order of operations, squaring

-5

gives

25

, and multiplying

4

-2

gives

-8

. Subtracting

-8

from

25

results in

33

Step-by-Step Solution

Substitute the given variable values into the expression

(-5)^2 - 4(-2)

To replace the variables with their corresponding numerical values.

Evaluate the exponent

25 - 4(-2)

Following the order of operations (PEMDAS), exponents must be calculated before multiplication and subtraction. The square of a negative number is positive.

Evaluate the multiplication

25 - (-8)

Multiply 4 by -2 to find the term to be subtracted.

Perform the final subtraction

25 + 8 = 33

Subtracting a negative number is equivalent to adding its positive counterpart.

Key Concept

Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

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