Question

How do you simplify `(7x + 4) - ( 2x - 4) + ( 8x + 8)`?

Answer 1

`13x + 16`

Explanation:

First, distribute the negative sign in `color(blue)(-(2x-4))`:
`color(blue)(-(2x-4) = -2x + 4)`

Put it back into the expression:
`7x + 4 - 2x + 4 + 8x + 8`

Now let's color-code the like terms:
`quadcolor(red)(7x) quadcolor(blue)(+quad4) quadcolor(red)(-quad2x) quadcolor(blue)(+quad4) quadcolor(red)(+quad8x) quadcolor(blue)(+quad8)`

Combine like terms and get the final answer:
`13x + 16`

Hope this helps!