document.write( "Question 384088: is x suppose to equal a number that should replace the x or is it all ways one \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #271876 by Theo(13342)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In a general expression, x represents any number.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "To solve for a specific number, you replace x with that number in the equation.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "example:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "y = x^2 + 3*x - 5\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If you want to know the value of y when x = 3, you replace x with 3 in the equation to get:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "y = 3^2 + 3*3 - 5 = 9 + 9 - 5 = 18 - 5 = 13\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "When you get into functional notation (if not already), then you will see:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "f(x) = x^2 + 3*x - 5\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "When x = 3, then you will see:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "f(3) = 3^2 + 3*3 - 5\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The 3 replaces the x to give you the value of the equation when x = 3.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If you want to know the value of y or f(x), when x = 5, then you replace x with 5, etc.\r
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