Answer :

Sure! Let's evaluate the polynomial \(-x^3 + 4x^2 - 3x + 12\) at \(x = -2\).

1. Start by substituting \(x = -2\) into the polynomial:
[tex]\[ -(-2)^3 + 4(-2)^2 - 3(-2) + 12 \][/tex]

2. Calculate \((-2)^3\):
[tex]\[ (-2)^3 = -8 \][/tex]
So, \(-(-2)^3\) becomes:
[tex]\[ -(-8) = 8 \][/tex]

3. Next, calculate \((-2)^2\):
[tex]\[ (-2)^2 = 4 \][/tex]
So, \(4(-2)^2\) becomes:
[tex]\[ 4 \cdot 4 = 16 \][/tex]

4. Then calculate \(-3(-2)\):
[tex]\[ -3(-2) = 6 \][/tex]

5. Finally, combine all the terms together and add the constant term \(12\):
[tex]\[ 8 + 16 + 6 + 12 \][/tex]

6. Sum these values step-by-step:
[tex]\[ 8 + 16 = 24 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 24 + 6 = 30 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 30 + 12 = 42 \][/tex]

So, the value of the polynomial \(-x^3 + 4x^2 - 3x + 12\) at \(x = -2\) is:
[tex]\[ 42 \][/tex]