Let's simplify the expression \( 3(x + 4) - 2x \) step by step.

1. **Distribute the 3 across the terms inside the parentheses**:
   \[
   3(x + 4) = 3x + 12
   \]
   So the expression becomes:
   \[
   3x + 12 - 2x
   \]

2. **Combine like terms** (i.e., combine \( 3x \) and \( -2x \)):
   \[
   3x - 2x + 12 = x + 12
   \]

The simplified expression is:
\[
x + 12
\]

Would you like more details on any of the steps?

Here are 5 related questions you could explore:
1. What happens when you expand expressions with negative numbers inside parentheses?
2. How do you simplify an expression with multiple variables?
3. How do you solve an equation once it is simplified?
4. What if the expression had fractions, how would you simplify it?
5. What is the difference between simplifying and solving an expression?

**Tip:** Always distribute multiplication over addition or subtraction first when simplifying expressions.

This guide helps students simplify the algebraic expression 3(x + 4) - 2x step-by-step using the distributive property. It explains how to distribute and combine like terms, making it suitable for students in Grades 6-8.

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