is f(x) = 1/(x^3 - 5x) even, odd or neither? i am thinking neither but im not too sure. cz when i sub in (-x) i get 1/((-x)^3-5(-x))

then i don't really know what this means.

let's take your answer a bit further ...

1/((-x)^3-5(-x))
= 1/( -(x)^3 + 5x)
= -1/(x^3 - 5x)
= - f(x)

so the function is odd by definition:

odd ---> f(-x) = -f(x)
even ---> f(-x) = f(x)