Example

Evaluating 2x25x+32x^2 - 5x + 3 for x=2x = -2

To evaluate the polynomial expression 2x25x+32x^2 - 5x + 3 when x=2x = -2, substitute 2-2 for every instance of the variable xx and simplify using the order of operations. First, perform the substitution: 2(2)25(2)+32(-2)^2 - 5(-2) + 3. Next, evaluate the exponent: (2)2=4(-2)^2 = 4, which updates the expression to 2(4)5(2)+32(4) - 5(-2) + 3. Then, perform the multiplications from left to right: 2(4)=82(4) = 8 and 5(2)=10-5(-2) = 10 (since subtracting a negative product is equivalent to adding), giving 8+10+38 + 10 + 3. Finally, add the terms to find the result, which is 2121.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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