What is the simplified form of the expression 3(2x + 4) - 4x?

To simplify the expression 3(2x + 4) - 4x, we first distribute the 3 across the terms inside the parentheses:

3(2x) + 3(4) = 6x + 12.

This gives us the intermediate expression:

6x + 12 - 4x.

Next, we combine the like terms, which are the x terms (6x and -4x):

6x - 4x = 2x.

Now we incorporate the constant term 12:

2x + 12.

The final simplified form of the expression is indeed 2x + 12. This demonstrates that the process of distributing and combining like terms correctly leads to the final answer, ensuring that all components of the expression are accounted for.