Question 100570
Before we start you need to know the meaning of {{{x^2}}}.
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The 2 is called an exponent and it tells you how many times to multiply x times itself.
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So {{{x^2 = x*x}}} and {{{x^3 = x*x*x}}} and {{{x^4 = x*x*x*x}}} and so on.
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Now to the problem. 
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You are given:
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{{{f(x) = x^2 - 7x + 10}}}
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and you are first asked to find f(0). All that means is that you start with the function you
are given and wherever you see an x you substitute zero. Then you evaluate the function:
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so start with:
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{{{f(x) = x^2 - 7x + 10}}} 
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then substitute zero for into all the x terms to get:
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{{{f(0) = 0^2 - 7*0 + 10}}}
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but note that {{{0^2 = 0*0 = 0}}} and {{{-7*0 = 0}}}. When you substitute these values you
are left with:
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{{{f(0) = 0 - 0 + 10 = 10}}}
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so the answer is: {{{f(0) = 10}}}
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Next, you are to find f(5). Start with:
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{{{f(x) = x^2 - 7x + 10}}}
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and wherever you see an x, substitute 5. When you do you get:
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{{{f(5) = 5^2 - 7*5 + 10}}}
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but {{{5^2 = 5*5 = 25}}} and {{{-7*5= -35}}}. Substitute these values into the equation and
you get:
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{{{f(5) = 25 - 35 + 10}}}
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combine these three terms and you get 0. So the answer becomes:
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{{{f(5) = 0}}}
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Finally, you are to find f(-2). Start with:
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{{{f(x) = x^2 - 7x + 10}}}
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and substitute -2 for x to get:
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{{{f(-2) = (-2)^2 -7*(-2) + 10}}}
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Note that {{{(-2)^2 = (-2)*(-2) = 4}}} and {{{-7*(-2) = +14}}}. Substitute these values 
and you have:
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{{{f(-2) = 4 + 14 + 10 = 28}}}
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so the answer is:
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{{{f(-2) = 28}}}
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Hope this helps you to understand the equation as well as what the exponents mean.
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