Free Maths Calculator

Substitution Calculator

Replace the letters in an expression with numbers and work out the value. Negatives go in inside brackets, which is the habit that stops a squared term losing its sign, and the order of operations is followed line by line. Choose a linear, quadratic or two letter expression to match your question.

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    Worked Example

    Work out 2x² − 3x + 4 when x = −5.

    1. Swap x for its value in brackets: 2 × (−5)² − 3 × (−5) + 4
    2. Squaring comes first:(−5)² = 25, positive because a negative times a negative is positive
    3. Now the multiplications:2 × 25 = 50, and −3 × (−5) = 15
    4. Add it all up:50 + 15 + 4 = 69

    Answer: 69

    Try These Yourself

    Work out 3x + 7 when x = −2.Show answerHide answer

    Answer: 1

    3 × (−2) = −6, then −6 + 7.

    Work out x² + x when x = −3.Show answerHide answer

    Answer: 6

    9 + (−3) = 6.

    Work out 4x + 5y when x = 2 and y = −1.Show answerHide answer

    Answer: 3

    8 + (−5) = 3.