Final answer:
To find the value of f(x) for a given value of x, substitute the value in the function. For f(-1/2), the value is 19 7/8. For f(2), the value is 7. For f(-2), the value is -1.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the value of f(x) for a given value of x, we substitute the value in place of x in the function.
(a) For f(-1/2), we substitute -1/2 in place of x:
f(-1/2) = (-1/2)^3 + 3 - 8/(-1/2)
Simplifying the expression, we get:
f(-1/2) = -1/8 + 3 + 16 = 19 7/8
(b) For f(2), we substitute 2 in place of x:
f(2) = 2^3 + 3 - 8/2
Simplifying the expression, we get:
f(2) = 8 + 3 - 4 = 7
(c) For f(-2), we substitute -2 in place of x:
f(-2) = (-2)^3 + 3 - 8/(-2)
Simplifying the expression, we get:
f(-2) = -8 + 3 + 4 = -1