math

To solve for the value of x when f(x)=-5, we need to use the two given points to solve for a and b. Let's start by substituting our given points into the equation: f(-2) = 27 => ax - 2b = 27 f(1) = 15 => a + b = 15 We can solve for a and b by arranging the equations and adding them together to get a single equation: a + b = 15 ax - 2b = 27 => a + b + (ax - 2b) = 15 + 27 => (a + b) + ax - 2b = 42 => a + 3b = 42 => a = 42 - 3b Now we substitute the value of a in the equation of f(x) and solve for x: f(x) = ax + b = (42 - 3b)x + b = 42x - 3bx + b Substituting the value of f(x) into the equation we get: 42x - 3bx + b = -5 Substituting 3b for a, we get: