[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

The reason that I have been silent on this thread is that we were without electricity from 01:00pmEST, Jan. 31st, until 04:35amEST, Feb. 02nd. Having said that let me jump into the fray.

f(x) means: A function in terms of x. I know that is the obvious. We could aslo write f(x) = -x as: f(x) = y = -x.

Going with f(x) = -x, it means that for a given value of x = A, f(x = A) = -A. The plot of f(x) = -x, is a straight line with a slope of -1. The standard equation for a straight line is y = mx + b, where m is the slope of the line and b is the y-intercept at x = 0. So the value of
f(0) = 0.

I do not remember who wrote that his algebra teacher did not like calling -x: negative x or minus x. I can understand not calling it minus x, but negative x it quite acceptable. On the other hand F(x) = 3 - x would be read as three minus x, but could also be written and F(x) =
3 + (-x), which would be read as three plus negative x. But in either case the mathematical sentence says the same thing.

Just remember, I thing Mark Dexter started this nonsense.