
well, when x = 0, namely at the very beginning, y = 27, thus, that IS the initial value.
In the top the "f(x)" equals 9, now they are asking you to add onto the 9 by 1 causing it to be 10. If you did the first few you would have noticed that it takes 9 in order to get to 5 from -4.
here are the answers btw:
The value of f(5) is 
Step-by-step explanation:
The function is 
To find
substitute
in 

Multiplying the terms, we get,

Adding the terms, we get,

Thus, the value of
is 
144 degrees, q=s, so 3a=4a-12. a=12, and 12*12= 144