Algebra Examples

$- 4 a^{2} + 2 a - 1$ when $a = - 3$

Step 1

Replace the variable $a$ with $- 3$ in the expression.

$- 4 {(- 3)}^{2} + 2 (- 3) - 1$

Step 2

Simplify each term.

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Step 2.1

Raise $- 3$ to the power of $2$ .

$- 4 \cdot 9 + 2 (- 3) - 1$

Step 2.2

Multiply $- 4$ by $9$ .

$- 36 + 2 (- 3) - 1$

Step 2.3

Multiply $2$ by $- 3$ .

$- 36 - 6 - 1$

Step 3

Simplify by subtracting numbers.

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Step 3.1

Subtract $6$ from $- 36$ .

$- 42 - 1$

Step 3.2

Subtract $1$ from $- 42$ .

$- 43$