Here a=1/2. What is the value of (2a + 1)(4a² - 2a + 1)?

Question: Here a=1/2. What is the value of (2a + 1)(4a² - 2a + 1)?

Solution:
(2a + 1)(4a² - 2a + 1)
= {2 · (1/2) + 1}{4 · (1/2)² - 2 · (1/2) + 1}
= 2 {4 · (1/4) - 1 + 1}
= 2 · 1
= 2