Example

Simplifying 4(x8)(x+3)4(x - 8) - (x + 3) by Distributing and Combining Like Terms

Simplify 4(x8)(x+3)4(x - 8) - (x + 3) — an expression that contains two sets of parentheses, each requiring distribution before the terms can be combined.

Step 1 — Distribute both factors: Apply the distributive property to each parenthesized group. For the first group, multiply 44 by each term: 4x=4x4 \cdot x = 4x and 4(8)=324 \cdot (-8) = -32. For the second group, the subtraction sign in front of (x+3)(x + 3) acts as multiplication by 1-1: 1x=x-1 \cdot x = -x and 13=3-1 \cdot 3 = -3:

4x32x34x - 32 - x - 3

Step 2 — Combine like terms: Group the variable terms and the constant terms. The xx-terms are 4x4x and x-x: 4xx=3x4x - x = 3x. The constants are 32-32 and 3-3: 323=35-32 - 3 = -35:

3x353x - 35

The simplified result is 3x353x - 35. The key insight is that a subtraction sign immediately before a set of parentheses is equivalent to multiplying everything inside by 1-1, which changes the sign of every term. This is why (x+3)-(x + 3) becomes x3-x - 3 rather than x+3-x + 3.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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