Question

simplify the expression

(3x - 8) + (2x + 5) - (4x - 8)

Answer 1

To simplify the expression \((3x - 8) + (2x + 5) - (4x - 8)\), we can follow these steps:

1. Remove the parentheses, being careful to distribute any negative signs:

\[
(3x - 8) + (2x + 5) - (4x - 8) = 3x - 8 + 2x + 5 - 4x + 8
\]

2. Combine like terms for the \(x\) terms and the constant terms:

- For the \(x\) terms: \(3x + 2x - 4x = (3 + 2 - 4)x = 1x\) or simply \(x\).
- For the constant terms: \(-8 + 5 + 8 = (-8 + 8) + 5 = 0 + 5 = 5\).

3. Putting it all together, we get:

\[
x + 5
\]

Thus, the simplified expression is:

\[
\boxed{x + 5}
\]