Final answer:
The first step of evaluating a function like f(x) = 8x - 10 for f(-2) is to decide to substitute -2 for x, which then allows you to perform the arithmetic operations step by step to arrive at the result, which in this case is f(-2) = -26.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step of evaluating a function, such as f(x) = 8x - 10, when given a specific value to substitute for x, is to decide what that value will be. In this case, you are asked to evaluate f(-2). Therefore, the correct first step is to decide to substitute -2 for x.
The first step of evaluating a function is to substitute the given value or expression for the variable in the function. In this case, the function is f(x) = 8x - 10 and we need to evaluate for f(-2). The first step is to substitute -2 for x in the function, which gives us f(-2) = 8(-2) - 10.After deciding on the substitution, the next steps would follow as such:
- Substitute -2 for x in the function: f(-2) = 8(-2) - 10.
- Multiply 8 by -2: 8 * (-2) = -16.
- Subtract 10 from the result of the multiplication: -16 - 10 = -26.
So, f(-2) = -26 is the final answer when you evaluate the function for x = -2.