If a = −2, then a + a2 − a3 + a4 − a5 =
A. −22
B. −18
C. 32
D. 58
Answer:D
If a = −2, then a + a2 − a3 + a4 − a5 =
A. −22 B. −18 C. 32 D. 58
Explanation: D Plug in the number given for a in the expression to find the value: −2 + (−2)2 − (−2)3 + (−2)4 − (−2)5. Remember PEMDAS, the order of operations: The first thing to do here is deal with the Exponents, then we can take care of the Addition and Subtraction: −2 + 4 − (−8) + 16 − (−32), which simplifies to −2 + 4 + 8 + 16 + 32 = 58, (D).