SOLUTION: Find P(-1/2) if P(x)= 4x^4 - 2x^3 + 17

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Question 195928: Find P(-1/2) if P(x)= 4x^4 - 2x^3 + 17
Answer by jim_thompson5910(28536) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
P%28x%29=4x%5E4-2x%5E3%2B17 Start with the given equation.


P%28-1%2F2%29=4%28-1%2F2%29%5E4-2%28-1%2F2%29%5E3%2B17 Plug in x=-1%2F2.


P%28-1%2F2%29=4%281%2F16%29-2%28-1%2F2%29%5E3%2B17 Raise -1%2F2 to the 4th power to get 1%2F16.


P%28-1%2F2%29=4%281%2F16%29-2%28-1%2F8%29%2B17 Cube -1%2F2 to get -1%2F8.


P%28-1%2F2%29=1%2F4-2%28-1%2F8%29%2B17 Multiply 4 and 1%2F16 to get 1%2F4.


P%28-1%2F2%29=1%2F4%2B1%2F4%2B17 Multiply -2 and -1%2F8 to get 1%2F4.


P%28-1%2F2%29=35%2F2 Combine like terms.


So the answer is P%28-1%2F2%29=35%2F2