Which expression is equivalent to 4(x + 1) – 7(x + 3)?

Answer 1

To simplify the expression \( 4(x + 1) - 7(x + 3) \), we can distribute the coefficients into the parentheses:

1. Distributing \( 4 \) in the first term: \[ 4(x + 1) = 4x + 4 \]

2. Distributing \( -7 \) in the second term: \[ -7(x + 3) = -7x - 21 \]

Now, combining both results: \[ 4(x + 1) - 7(x + 3) = (4x + 4) + (-7x - 21) \]

Next, we can combine like terms:

• Combine the \( x \) terms: \[ 4x - 7x = -3x \]
• Combine the constant terms: \[ 4 - 21 = -17 \]

Putting it all together, we have: \[ -3x - 17 \]

Thus, the expression \( 4(x + 1) - 7(x + 3) \) simplifies to: \[ \boxed{-3x - 17} \]