Answer
$f(\frac{1}{2})\approx 0.577$;
$f(2.5) \approx. 5.196$;
$f(-1)\approx 0.111$;
$f(\frac{1}{4}) \approx. 0.439$
Work Step by Step
Evaluate the function for the given values of $x$ by substituting each $x$ into $f(x)$ then using a calculator to find the exact value.
When x=$\frac{1}{2}$:
$f(x) = 3^{x-1}
\\f(1/2)=3^{\frac{1}{2}-1}
\\f(1/2)=3^{-\frac{1}{2}}
\\f(1/2)\approx 0.577$
When $x=2.5$:
$f(x) = 3^{x-1}
\\f(2.5) = 3^{2.5-1}
\\f(2.5)=3^{1.5}
\\f(2.5) \approx. 5.196$
When $x=-1$:
$f(x)=3^{x-1}
\\f(-1)=3^{-1-1}
\\f(-1)=3^{-2}
\\f(-1)\approx 0.111$
When $x=\frac{1}{4}$:
$f(x)=3^{x-1}
\\f(\frac{1}{4}) = 3^{\frac{1}{4}-1}
\\f(\frac{1}{4}) = 3^{-\frac{3}{4}}
\\f(\frac{1}{4}) \approx. 0.439$
