Question

3(4x-5) - (2x+7)
show me the steps

Answer 1

To simplify the expression \( 3(4x - 5) - (2x + 7) \), follow these steps:

1. **Distribute** the \( 3 \) in the first term:
\[
3(4x) - 3(5) = 12x - 15
\]

2. **Distribute** the negative sign across the second term:
\[
- (2x + 7) = -2x - 7
\]

3. Now, combine the results from steps 1 and 2:
\[
12x - 15 - 2x - 7
\]

4. **Combine like terms** (the \( x \) terms and the constant terms):
- For the \( x \) terms:
\[
12x - 2x = 10x
\]
- For the constant terms:
\[
-15 - 7 = -22
\]

5. Therefore, the simplified expression is:
\[
10x - 22
\]

The final result is:
\[
10x - 22
\]