Let's analyze the given expression step by step:

$3x - 6x + 3 - x(x + 3)^2$

Breaking it down:

1. $3x$ is the first term.
2. $-6x$ is the second term.
3. $3$ is the third term.
4. $-x(x + 3)^2$ is the fourth term.

The expression consists of four distinct terms.

Thus, the expression has 4 terms.

Would you like a detailed breakdown of how to simplify this expression further, or have any other questions?

Related Questions:

1. How can we simplify the expression $3x - 6x + 3 - x(x + 3)^2$?
2. What is the degree of the term $-x(x + 3)^2$?
3. What happens if we factor the expression $3x - 6x + 3$?
4. How does expanding $(x + 3)^2$ affect the complexity of the expression?
5. Can this expression be simplified into a quadratic form?

Tip:

Always distribute and combine like terms when simplifying expressions to reduce the number of terms.