How do you evaluate #ab-cd# if #a=5, b=3, c=4, d=2#?

1 Answer
Sep 28, 2016

7

Explanation:

When two variables are placed next to each other like #ab# and #cd#, that means to multiply them together. It is the same thing as #2x#, except 2 is a number instead of a variable

So, first, multiply #a# to #b#
#5xx3= 15#

Then multiply #c# to #d#
#4xx2=8#

Finally, plug in your numbers back into the original equation
#ab=>15#
#cd=>8#
#ab-cd=?#
#15-8=7#

The answer is 7