The way to simplify this is so combine like terms. Do the equation in the bracket but leave the variable (3x - 5) = (- 2x) So now the equation looks like this: 6(-2x) + 2(- 2x) + 8(- 2x) And now you do the multiplication, but still leave the variable 6(- 2x) = (- 12x) Now the equation is: (- 12x) + (- 4x) - (- 16x)
