Question

How do you evaluate function notation?

Answer 1

In fuction notation, you have a variable (often the function `f`) which values depends on those of another variable (often the indipendent variable `x`).

When we write something like `f(x)=x^2-3x+2`, we mean that for every number `x`, we must behave in the same way to evaluate `f`: in this case, we must sum the square of that number, then subtract its triple, and then add 2.

Evaluating a function simply means to substitute the exact value in the generic expression of the function. In my example, if you want to calculate `f(5)`, you simply need to replace every `x` with a "5", and so

`x^2-3x+2 \rightarrow (2)^2-3\cdot 2 +2 = 4-6+2=0`