A function is defined as f(x) = 2x+1 if x < 2, and f(x) = x²-3 if x ≥ 2. What is f(2) + f(-1)?

A piecewise function uses the rule that matches each input. For $x=2$, the condition $x\ge2$ applies, so $f(2)=2^2-3=1$. For $x=-1$, the condition $x<2$ applies, so $f(-1)=2(-1)+1=-1$. The sum is $1+(-1)=0$, choice H. Choice J ($4$) uses the first rule for $x=2$, giving $f(2)=5$, which ignores that $2$ is not less than $2$. Choices F ($-2$) and G ($-1$) come from arithmetic slips in $f(2)$, such as writing $2^2-3$ as $-1$ or $-3$; the correct value of $f(2)$ is $1$, not $-1$ or $0$.