Question

How do you simplify `1/4(12x - 8)`?

Answer 1

Divide each term in the bracket by 4:
= `3x - 2`

Explanation:

Multiplying by `1/4` is the same as dividing by 4. - You are finding a quarter of something.

To find a quarter of the bracket, divide each coefficient by 4.

You will get two unlike terms so you will not be able to simplify them.
This is the reason why you cannot simplify inside the original bracket either.