Question

How do you evaluate `f(x)=5x^4-8x^3+7x^2` at x=1 using direct substitution and synthetic division?

Answer 1

`f(1)=4`

Explanation:

Using synthetic division wouldn't make sense here. When it asks you to evaluate `f(x)` at `x=1`, it's basically asking you for `f(1)`.

`f(1) = 5\cdot 1^4-8\cdot 1^3 + 7 \cdot 1^2=5-8+7=4`