The symbol [x] means the greatest integer not greater than x. If f(x)=[2x]-3x, find the value for f(x-1).

Thanks.

f(x-1)= [2(x-1)]-3(x-1)

=2x-2-3x+3
=-x+1

So you just take away the brackets? Why are you able to do that?

To find the value of f(x-1), we need to substitute x-1 into the function f(x).

First, let's substitute x-1 into the function [2x]:

[2(x-1)]

Next, simplify the expression:

[2x - 2]

Now, let's substitute x-1 into the function 3x:

3(x-1)

Expand the expression:

3x - 3

Finally, let's subtract the value we obtained from [2x] from the value we obtained from 3x:

(3x - 3) - [2x - 2]

Distribute the negative sign:

3x - 3 - 2x + 2

Combine like terms:

(3x - 2x) + (2 - 3)

x - 1

Therefore, f(x-1) = x - 1.

To find the value of f(x-1), we need to substitute x-1 in place of x in the expression for f(x) and evaluate it.

Given that f(x) = [2x] - 3x, let's substitute x-1 for x:

f(x-1) = [2(x-1)] - 3(x-1)

Now, let's simplify the expression step by step:
First, distribute the 2 and 3:

f(x-1) = 2(x-1) - 3(x-1)

Next, simplify within the parentheses:

f(x-1) = 2x - 2 - 3x + 3

Combine like terms:

f(x-1) = -x + 1

Therefore, the value of f(x-1) is -x + 1.