Chapter 9: Problem 53
If \(f(x)=-x^{2}-2 x-7\), find \(f(-a), f(-a-2)\), and \(f(a+7)\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(f(-a) = -a^2 + 2a - 7\), \(f(-a-2) = -a^2 - 2a - 7\), \(f(a+7) = -a^2 - 16a - 70\).
Step by step solution
01
Substitute for f(-a)
We substitute \(-a\) into the function \(f(x) = -x^2 - 2x - 7\): \[f(-a) = -(-a)^2 - 2(-a) - 7.\] Simplifying: \[-a^2 + 2a - 7.\] Thus, \(f(-a) = -a^2 + 2a - 7.\)
02
Substitute for f(-a-2)
We substitute \(-a-2\) in the function \(f(x) = -x^2 - 2x - 7\): \[f(-a-2) = -(-a-2)^2 - 2(-a-2) - 7.\] First, calculate \((-a-2)^2\):\[(-a-2)^2 = a^2 + 4a + 4.\]Then substitute:\[-(a^2 + 4a + 4) + 2a + 4 - 7.\] Simplifying: \[-a^2 - 4a - 4 + 2a + 4 - 7,\] which reduces to:\(-a^2 - 2a - 7\). Thus, \(f(-a-2) = -a^2 - 2a - 7.\)
03
Substitute for f(a+7)
We substitute \(a+7\) into the function \(f(x) = -x^2 - 2x - 7\): \[f(a+7) = -(a+7)^2 - 2(a+7) - 7.\] First, calculate \((a+7)^2\):\[(a+7)^2 = a^2 + 14a + 49.\]Then substitute:\[-(a^2 + 14a + 49) - 2a - 14 - 7.\] Simplifying: \[-a^2 - 14a - 49 - 2a - 14 - 7,\] which reduces to:\(-a^2 - 16a - 70.\) Thus, \(f(a+7) = -a^2 - 16a - 70.\)
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Function Evaluation
Function evaluation is a key concept in mathematics where we determine the output of a function for given inputs. Think of a function like a machine: you provide it an input, it processes this input, and then gives you an output. If we have a function defined, such as: \[f(x) = -x^2 - 2x - 7\] and we want to find the value of the function at a specific input, we perform a function evaluation.
- To evaluate \(f(-a)\), we substitute \(-a\) in place of \(x\) in the function.
- This substitution allows us to find the polynomial expression for \(f(-a)\) by following simple arithmetic operations.
Algebraic Expressions
Algebraic expressions are mathematical phrases that can include numbers, variables, and operation symbols. Consider the expression \(-x^2 - 2x - 7\). Here, - \(-x^2\) represents the square of \(x\) multiplied by \(-1\), - \(-2x\) is \(-2\) times \(x\), and - \(-7\) is a constant. These expressions can be manipulated through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. When dealing with algebraic expressions:
- Identify the terms (parts of the expression separated by plus or minus signs) and simplify where possible.
- For example, in the expression for \(f(a+7)\), we expanded \((a+7)^2\) using the distributive property to get \(a^2 + 14a + 49\).
- Simplifying expressions involves combining like terms and reducing the equation as much as possible.
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a commonly used technique in algebra to solve equations or evaluate functions. This involves replacing a variable with a specific value, which can be a number or another expression. For example, if we have a function \( f(x) = -x^2 - 2x - 7 \) and we want to find \( f(-a) \), we replace every instance of \(x\) in the function with \(-a\). **The Process of Substitution**
- Identify the expression or value to substitute: Here, it's \(-a\), \(-a-2\), and \(a+7\).
- Replace the variable in the function with this expression: For \(f(-a)\), replace \(x\) with \(-a\) to get \(-(-a)^2 - 2(-a) - 7\).
- Simplify the resulting expression by performing algebraic operations: Find the square of \(-a\), simplify terms, and combine them to get the new expression.