Evaluate the expression 4a^2 + b^2 - 3 where a = 2 and b = 1.
1. 13
2. 14
3. 15
4. 16
Plugging in the values of a = 2 and b = 1 into the expression 4a^2 + b^2 - 3:
4(2)^2 + (1)^2 - 3
= 4(4) + 1 - 3
= 16 + 1 - 3
= 17 - 3
= 14
Therefore, the expression evaluates to 14.
The answer is 2. 14.