Question

Evaluate the expression for r = –4 and s = 5.

rs − r =

Answer 1

To evaluate the expression \( rs - r \) for \( r = -4 \) and \( s = 5 \), we follow these steps:

1. Substitute the values of \( r \) and \( s \) into the expression:
\[
rs - r = (-4)(5) - (-4)
\]

2. Calculate \( rs \):
\[
(-4)(5) = -20
\]

3. Substitute this result back into the expression:
\[
-20 - (-4) = -20 + 4
\]

4. Finally, calculate the result:
\[
-20 + 4 = -16
\]

Therefore, the value of the expression \( rs - r \) is \(\boxed{-16}\).