Final answer:
To expand and simplify the expression (5x + 2) - (4x + 8), distribute the negative sign to every term inside the parentheses and then combine like terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
To expand and simplify the expression (5x + 2) - (4x + 8), we need to distribute the negative sign to every term inside the parentheses. This will give us 5x + 2 - 4x - 8. We can then combine like terms by adding or subtracting coefficients. In this case, we have 5x and -4x, which combine to give us x. And we have 2 and -8, which combine to give us -6. Therefore, the simplified expression is x - 6.