## anonymous one year ago Can someone help me out? 2. Evaluate the expression for a = –1 and b = 5. Show your work. 5a – 7b + b^2 This is how i solved it i'm just seeing if i did it right or if i messed up somewhere throughout the problem 5+ -1 -7(5) + (5)^2 -35 25 4+ -35 25 4+ -35 = -31 -31+ 25 = -6

1. AbdullahM

You messed up.

2. AbdullahM

$$\sf\Large 5a – 7b + b^2$$ where $$\sf\Large a=-1 \\\sf\Large b=5$$

3. AbdullahM

So simply just plug in the numbers: $$\sf\Large 5(-1) -7(5)+(5)^2=?$$

4. AbdullahM

Remember, it's multiplication we are doing. Not addition or subtraction.

5. anonymous

Alright is this correct 5+( -1) -7(5) + (5)^2 -35 25 - 5 -35 25 -5+ -35 = 40 -40+ 25 = 15

6. AbdullahM

almost correct, but $$\sf\Large -40+25 = \color{red}{-}15$$ because $$\sf\Large -40+25 = 25-40$$

7. anonymous

5+( -1) -7(5) + (5)^2 -35 25 - 5 -35 25 -5+ -35 = -40 25 + -40 = 15 How about now?

8. AbdullahM

you have all the steps correct except the last one $$\sf\Large 25+ (-40) = -15$$ $$\sf\Large -40 + 25 = -15$$ It's $$\bf \color{red}{-}$$15 It's a negative 15...

9. anonymous

Oh didn't notice that >~< I'm sorry.

10. AbdullahM

It's ok, we should learn from our mistakes. :) And Welcome to OpenStudy! @Ashtaroth

11. anonymous

Thanks. I think this place is going to help me big time with my algebra.

12. anonymous

Could you help me with another?

13. AbdullahM

sure close this question and post another question :)