Answer
(a) $f(2)=18$
(b) $f(-1)=-3$
Work Step by Step
RECALL:
$f(a)$ represents the value of the function $f$ when $x=a$.
Replace $x$ with the given value to obtain:
(a)
$f(2) = 3(2^2)+4(2)-2
\\f(2)= 3(4)+8-2
\\f(2)=12+8-2
\\f(2)=20-2
\\f(2)=18$
(b)
$f(-1) = 3(-1)^2+4(-1)-2
\\f(-1)=3(1)+(-4)-2
\\f(-1)=3-4-2
\\f(-1)=-1-2
\\f(-1)=-3$
