To find \( f(-5) \) when given the function \( f(x) = -x^2 + 9 \), we can follow these steps:
- Substitute -5 into the function:
\[ f(-5) = -(-5)^2 + 9 \]
- Calculate \((-5)^2\):
\[ (-5)^2 = 25 \]
- Substitute back into the equation:
\[ f(-5) = -25 + 9 \]
- Simplify:
\[ f(-5) = -25 + 9 = -16 \]
Thus, \( f(-5) = -16 \).
The final answer is:
\[ f(-5) = -16 \]