Consider evaluating the polynomial f(x) = 7(x)^(5)-8(x)^(3)+5(x)^(2)-1. 
a) Evaluate f(3) term by term. Show work.
To evaluate the polynomial f(x) = 7x^5 - 8x^3 + 5x^2 - 1 at x = 3, we can calculate each term individually and then sum them up. Here's the step-by-step evaluation:

1. First term: 7x^5
    (7 * 3)^5 = (21)^5 = 4084101

2. Second term: -8x^3
    (-8 * 3)^3 = (-24)^3 = -13824

3. Third term: 5x^2
    (5 * 3)^2 = (15)^2 = 225

4. Fourth term: -1 (constant term)
    -1

Now, sum up the individual terms:

4084101 - 13824 + 225 - 1 = 4070501

So, f(3) = 4070501.