6th grade math. simplify equation? 10 POINTS!

can anyone please help me simplify this equation?

[ 3(x-4)+6] - [4 (2x-5)-8 ]


thank you soosososo much in advance! :)

Justin has it correct. Here are some intermediate steps to help :

First remove the innermost parentheses by multiplying, you will have :
[3x - 12 + 6] - [8x -20 -8]

Now simplify within each pair of brackets by adding/subtracting like terms, in this case, integers without the variable x, so you have
[ 3x - 6 ] - [ 8x - 28 ]

Now remove the brackets and distribute the minus sign, you will have
3x - 6 - 8x + 28

Simplify by combining like terms and there is your answer
-5x + 22 or 22 - 5x

Both forms are correct. Some people prefer NOT to begin an expression with a minus sign if it can be avoided, so they would reverse the order of the elements and put the positive 22 before the negative 5x.

I hope that helps.

Wow, you people are all over the place.

Basim: how did (8x-20-8) become (2x-28) ?
ks: Don't copy.
CeleneGennaL: -[8x-20-8] is -8x+20+8
K: How does (2x-5) become (-10x) ?

x is the varible, not times.

Five answers (until one was deleted) and only one right.

(-12x+6)-[4(-10x)-8]
-12x +6+40x-8
28x-2

to everyone else who answered, since when is 5x2 20?

[ 3(x-4)+6] - [4 (2x-5)-8 ]
= [ 3x - 12 + 6 ] - [ 8x - 20 - 8]
= 3x -12 + 6 - 8x - 20 - 8
= 3x - 8x -12 + 6 - 20 - 8
= -5x - 34

(3x-12+6)-(8x-20-8)
(3x-6)-(2x-28)
3x-6-2x+28
x+22

3x-12+6-8x+20+8
3x-8x-12+6+20+8
-5x+22 or 22-5x