Question 9820
This is called "functional notation," and I think I need to submit a lesson plan on this topic.  There seems to be a lot of confusion about it.  This problem is "f(x) = 3x^2 + x -2", but it is read "f of x" and it means like a separate variable, like "y = 3x^2 + x - 2".  It means BIG TIME SUBSTITUTION!!  If 


{{{f(x) = 3x^2 + x - 2}}}, then f( 5) means to substitute 5 for each of the x's:
{{{f(5) = 3*(5)^2 + (5) - 2}}}
{{{f(5) = 3*25 + 5 - 2}}}
{{{f(5) = 75 +3 = 78}}}


For h(-4), use the h(x) formula and subsitute -4 in place of all the x's:
{{{h(x) = 7x+3}}}
{{{h(-4) = 7(-4)+3}}}
{{{h(-4) = -28 + 3 = -25}}}


2[f(-1)] means find f(-1), and multiply that number times 2.


f(3) - h(2) means to find f(3) and find h(2), and subtract these quantities. 


That will get you started!  Since this looks like a homework assignment (all submitted in ONE problem to algebra.com!!), you can finish the work!


R^2 at SCC