3[x + 2 (x + 1)^2 - 4x]

What would you do first to simplify?

What would you do second to simplify?

To simplify the expression 3[x + 2 (x + 1)^2 - 4x], you would follow the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS):

1. Start by evaluating the expression within the parenthesis first.

x + 1 inside the (x + 1)^2 can be simplified to just x.
(x + 1)^2 becomes (x^2 + 2x + 1).

So, the expression becomes 3[x + 2(x^2 + 2x + 1) - 4x].

2. Next, distribute the 2 to each term inside the square brackets.

3[x + 2x^2 + 4x + 2 - 4x].

Simplify further.

3[2x^2 + 2 + 2x].

3. Apply the distributive property again, this time with the 3 outside the square brackets.

6x^2 + 6 + 6x.

Thus, the expression 3[x + 2 (x + 1)^2 - 4x] simplifies to 6x^2 + 6 + 6x.