document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=187558>Question 187558</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I was told to simplify this equation but am not quite sure what to do or how much can be simplified.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x^2 – x[4 – 3(x – 4)]  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #140581 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><B>Alan3354(69443)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Alan3354><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=Alan3354><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=140581\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\">  I was told to simplify this equation but am not quite sure what to do or how much can be simplified.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x^2 – x[4 – 3(x – 4)] <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Eliminate parentheses 1st<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 3x^2 - x[4 -3x + 12]<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Brackets are same as parentheses<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 3x^2 -x(16 - 3x)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 3x^2 - 16x + 3x^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 6x^2 - 16x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "It's simpler. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );