Question

For the expression: 4(2x-3) simplified I know it is 8x-12.

But why can’t i subtract 8-12? And so it could be x-4?
Please help i don’t know how to simplify this expression.

Answer 1

When simplifying an expression, you collect and simplify all the like terms. Since 8x and -12 aren’t like terms, you can’t substract 8-12