Given f(x) = 2x^2 - 3x + 1, find f(-2).
Solution
Problem
Given f(x) = 2x^2 - 3x + 1, find f(-2).
Step 1: Write the function.
f(x) = 2x^2 - 3x + 1
We need to find f(-2), so substitute -2 for every x in the function.
Step 2: Substitute x = -2.
f(-2) = 2(-2)^2 - 3(-2) + 1
Step 3: Evaluate the exponent.
(-2)^2 = 4
So:
f(-2) = 2(4) - 3(-2) + 1
Step 4: Perform the multiplication.
2(4) = 8
-3(-2) = 6
Therefore:
f(-2) = 8 + 6 + 1
Step 5: Add the terms.
f(-2) = 15
Therefore, f(-2) = 15.
Result
f(-2) = 15