Simplify the expression by using the Distributive Property and combining like terms. 5(3x + 4) - 7x - 3

Answer 1

To simplify the expression \( 5(3x + 4) - 7x - 3 \), we can use the Distributive Property and combine like terms. Here are the steps:

1. Apply the Distributive Property to \( 5(3x + 4) \): \[ 5(3x) + 5(4) = 15x + 20 \]

2. Substitute this back into the expression: \[ 15x + 20 - 7x - 3 \]

3. Now, combine like terms. First, let's combine the \( x \) terms: \[ 15x - 7x = 8x \]

4. Next, combine the constant terms: \[ 20 - 3 = 17 \]

5. Putting it all together, we have: \[ 8x + 17 \]

So, the simplified expression is: \[ \boxed{8x + 17} \]