The expression in the image is:

$12x - 2(9 - x)$

Let's simplify it step by step:

1. Distribute the $-2$ across the terms inside the parentheses: $12x - 2(9) + 2(x)$ This becomes: $12x - 18 + 2x$

2. Combine like terms: $(12x + 2x) - 18 = 14x - 18$

So, the simplified expression is:

$14x - 18$

Let me know if you'd like further details!

Here are five related questions you might want to explore:

1. How would you solve the equation $14x - 18 = 0$?
2. What happens if you add a constant to both sides of the equation?
3. How does the distributive property work in similar problems?
4. Can you solve $12x - 2(9 - x) = 20$?
5. How would the expression change if the numbers were different, such as $12x - 3(9 - x)$?

Tip: Always distribute negative signs carefully when simplifying expressions, as they often cause errors.