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Lesson 2: Evaluating Functions

Objectives: The learner should be able to evaluate a function and solve a problems involving functions.

Analyze and Explore

Evaluating a function means replacing the variable in the function, in this case x, with a value from the
function's domain and computing for the result. To denote that we are evaluating f at x for some x in the
domain of f, we write f(x).

Example: Let f(x) = 2x2 – 3x + 4. Evaluate the following:

a) f(0) d) f(x – 1)
b) f(-1) e) f(2x)
c) f(2) f) f(x2 + 1)
Solution:
a) f(0) = 2(0)2 – 3(0) + 4 e) f(2x) = 2(2x)2 – 3(2x) + 4
f(0) = 0 – 0 + 4 f(2x) = 2(4x2) – 6x + 4
f(0) = 4 f(2x) = 8x2 – 6x + 4

b) f(-1) = 2(-1)2 – 3(-1) + 4 f) f(x2 + 1) = 2(x2 + 1)2 – 3(x2 + 1) + 4

f(-1) = 2 + 3 + 4 f(x2 + 1) = 2(x4 + 2x2 + 1) – 3(x2 + 1) + 4
f(-1) = 9 f(x2 + 1) = 2x4 + 4x2 + 2 – 3x2 – 3 + 4
f(x2 + 1) = 2x4 + x2 + 3
c) f(2) = 2(2)2 – 3(2) + 4
f(2) = 8 – 6 + 4
f(2) = 6

d) f(x – 1) = 2(x – 1)2 – 3(x – 1) + 4

f(x – 1) = 2(x2 – 2x + 1) – 3(x – 1) + 4
f(x – 1) = 2x2 – 4x + 2 – 3x + 3 + 4
f(x – 1) = 2x2 – 7x + 9

References:
https://exceedingthecore.ecwid.com/ALGEBRAIC-EXPRESSIONS-Mazes-Riddles-&-Color-by-Number-Fun-Activities-
p165406177
https://maptote.com/blog/free-coloring-pages-card-downloads/
General Mathematics Learner’s Module
General Mathematics Teacher’s Guide
Math Digest General Mathematics, Jose Maria L. Escaner IV, PhD
Senior High Conceptual Math and Beyond General Mathematics, Alvin B. Barcelona, M.A., Rene R. Belecina,
Ph.D., John Llenord C. Villanueva