first substitute all the values you know into the formula (use brackets to make your work clear)
4(4) + 2(3)
we know that 2 numbers next to eachother means multiply so expand it
4 x (4) + 2 x (3)
using BODMAS we know to do the multiplications first then add the 2 products
16 + 6
= 22
so 4a + 2b = 22 when a = 4 & b = 3