What is the expression 4+8(3x−2)−7x when simplified? Apply the order of operations and the commutative and distributive properties. Show all your work.

1 answer

To simplify the expression using the order of operations and the distributive property, we will break it down step by step:

1. Simplify the expression inside the parentheses: 3x - 2.
2. Distribute the 8 to the terms inside the parentheses: 8 * 3x = 24x and 8 * -2 = -16.
3. Rewrite the expression with the simplified terms: 4 + 24x - 16 - 7x.

Now, we can combine the like terms. We have 24x and -7x, which can be simplified as 17x.

4. Rewrite the expression with the combined like terms: 4 + 17x - 16.

Finally, combine the remaining terms: 4 - 16 = -12.

5. Rewrite the expression with the simplified term: -12 + 17x.

Therefore, the simplified expression is -12 + 17x.