What does it mean to evaluate a function

Can some one me with these questions

The function f(x) = 14,600(1.1)* represents the population of a town x years after it was established. what was the original population of the town?

Meghan has created a diagram of her city with her house, school, store, and gym identified. a. how far is it from the gym to the store? b. meghan also wants to walk to get some exercise, rather than going to the gym. she decides to walk along arc ab. how far will she walk? round to 3 decimal places.