Evaluate the Polynomials

Question

Evaluate the polynomials at the given points:

 

P(x)=4x⁶-3x²+x-2, find P(-2), P(-1), P(0), P(1)

Answer 1

Simply replace x in P(x) with the given value of x and evaluate. 

 

For example, P(-2) = 4(-2)⁶ - 3(-2)² + (-2) - 2

 

= 4(64) - 3(4) + (-2) - 2

 

= 256 - 12 + (-2) - 2

 

= 244 + (-2) - 2

 

= 242 - 2

 

= 240

 

Now, consider P(0) = 4(0)⁶ - 3(0)² + 0 - 2 

 

= 0 - 0 + 0 - 2

 

= 0 - 2

 

= -2

 

Can you do the other two, Naomi? Try evaluating P(-1) and P(1), and let us know if you have any questions. Thanks!

Answer 2

Naomi, You just plug the numbers -2, -1, 0, 1 to the polynomials to substitute X. When X = -2, P(-2) = 4 (-2)^6 -3(-2)^2 + (-2) -2 = 4(64)-3(4)-2-2 = 240 When X =-1, P(-1) = 4(-1)^6 -3(-1)^2 +(-1)-2 =4(1)-3(1)-1-2 = -2 When X = 0, P(0) = 4(0)^6-3(0)^2 +(-0)-2 = -2 When X =1, P(1) = 4(1)^6-3(1)^2 +1-2 = 4-3+1+2 = 4