How would I solve this problem?

"Given the following function, find the indicated values: f(x) = x2 - 5x + 1.

A function is sort of like a machine - you give it an input (the value of 'x' in this case), turn the crank and it spits out an ouput. Given that the function is:

\normalsize f(x) = x^2-5x+1

what this says is that the output 'f' is a function of the input 'x,' and is determined by sustituting the various numerical values for the 'x' in the equation. For example if x=3 then \normalsize f(3) = 3^2 -5(3)+1 = -5. Or if x=10 then \normalsize f(10) = 10^2-5(10)+1 = 51. In your homework problem they must have specified various values to use for 'x, and you simnply substitute those values into the equation and see what the ouput is.