Question

Evaluate the expression for w = –15, x = –2, and y = –18. Simplify your answer.

x
w + x − y
=

Answer 1

To evaluate the expression \( \frac{x}{w + x - y} \) for \( w = -15 \), \( x = -2 \), and \( y = -18 \), we first need to calculate \( w + x - y \).

1. Substitute the values:
\[
w + x - y = -15 + (-2) - (-18)
\]

2. Simplify \( -15 + (-2) - (-18) \):
\[
-15 - 2 + 18
\]

3. Combine the numbers:
\[
-15 - 2 = -17
\]
\[
-17 + 18 = 1
\]

Now we have:
\[
w + x - y = 1
\]

Next, substitute \( w + x - y \) into the original expression:
\[
\frac{x}{w + x - y} = \frac{-2}{1}
\]

Simplifying this gives:
\[
-2
\]

Thus, the final answer is:
\[
\boxed{-2}
\]