Evaluate the function at the specified values of the independent variable.

Question

Evaluate the function at the specified values of the independent variable. Simplify the results.

f(x) = x² − 4x + 1

(a) f(-1) =

(b)f(1/2) =

(c)f(c+2) =

Answer 1

f(x) = x² − 4x + 1

(a) f(-1) =(-1)² − 4(-1)+1

=1+4+1

6

(b)f(1/2) =(1/2)² − 4(1/2)+1

=1/4-2+1

-3/4

(c)f(c+2) =(c+2)² − 4(c+2)+1

=(c+2)(c+2) − 4(c+2)+1 FOIL and distribute

=c²+4c+4-4c-8+1 Simplify

c²-3