Evaluate the Function h(a)=a^2-1 when a=-5

$h (a) = a^{2} - 1$ when $a = - 5$

Step 1

Replace the variable $a$ with $- 5$ in the expression.

$h (- 5) = {(- 5)}^{2} - 1$

Step 2

Simplify the result.

Raise $- 5$ to the power of $2$ .

$h (- 5) = 25 - 1$

Subtract $1$ from $25$ .

$h (- 5) = 24$

The final answer is $24$ .

$24$

Step 3