Step 1 :The given function is a quadratic function of the form \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\).
Step 2 :The coefficient of \(x^2\) is positive, so the parabola opens upwards. This means that the function has a minimum value.
Step 3 :The minimum or maximum value of a quadratic function \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\) is given by \(f(-\frac{b}{2a})\).
Step 4 :So, we need to substitute \(x = -\frac{b}{2a}\) into the function to find the minimum value.
Step 5 :Given that \(a = 3\), \(b = 18\), and \(c = -1\), we find that \(x = -3.0\).
Step 6 :Substituting \(x = -3.0\) into the function, we find that the minimum value is \(-28.0\).
Step 7 :Final Answer: The minimum value of the function is \(\boxed{-28}\).