If possible evaluate the expression for the given value of the variable.

Question

10/x^2 - 3x - 10 (x=2)

Select the correct choice below

(a) For x = 2 The expression 10/x^2 - 3x - 10=?

(b) For the expression 10/x^2 - 3x - 10 is undefined.

Answer 1

We can test if it is possible to evaluate an expression for a given value of a variable by substituting the value into the expression and attempting to find the answer.

If the variable causes a denominator to equal zero, then the expression is undefined for the variable.

If we substitute 2 for x we get:

10/2² - 3(2) - 10

10/4 - 6 - 10

5/2 - 16

-27/2

It is possible to evaluate the expression for x = 2.  The expression equals -27/2 when x = 2.