Question

-2x^2+4x-3 x=-3. can't figure out how to get three keep coming up with -33

Answer 1

just to clarify, it is:
\[(-2*x^2)+(4*x)-3\]
and you are setting x=-3 ?

If I'm right and you aren't missing any parentheses or any operations, then yes, the correct result should be -33.

If however, it was supposed to look like this? just trying to fit your desired answer:
\[2(-x)^2+4x-3\]
or just no negative on the x^2 term at all, then you'd get 18-12-3 which is indeed 3... I'm wondering if you missed a step like that?