Question

How do you solve `-2p^{3} - p^{2}` with `p = - 3`?

Answer 1

`45`

Explanation:

More than solving, I'd call it evaluating: usually, to solve a function means to find the values of its variable(s) such that the function equals zero if evaluated on such point(s).

In your case, you simply have an expression, and you are requested to evaluate it in a specific point, namely `-3`.

This simply means that you must substitute `-3` in the place of every variable:

`-2p^3-p^2 \to -2(-3)^3-(-3)^2`

And then do the calculations: since `(-3)^3 = -27` and `(-3)^2 = 9`, you have

`-2(-3)^3-(-3)^2 = -2*(-27)-9 = 54-9=45`