After distributing the $4$, you should have two terms from that product and then the $-5x$ term. Write the expression with all three terms in a row before simplifying.

Which terms contain $x$, and which term is just a constant number? Combine only the $x$ terms together and leave the constant term as is.

In Desmos, type y = 4(2x + 3) - 5x to represent the original expression as a function.

On new lines, type y = 13x + 3, y = 8x + 7, y = 8x + 12, and y = 3x + 12. You should now see several lines on the graph.

Either look for the line that lies exactly on top of the graph of y = 4(2x + 3) - 5x for all $x$, or create a table for each function and compare $y$-values at the same $x$-values. The expression that matches the original at every $x$ is the correct choice.

Start with the expression:

Use the distributive property to multiply $4$ by each term inside the parentheses:

This gives:

Now combine the like terms involving $x$:

• The $x$ terms are $8x$ and $-5x$.

Compute $8x - 5x$:

Keep the constant term unchanged.

The simplified form of $4(2x + 3) - 5x$ is $3x + 12$.

Looking at the options, this matches choice D, so the equivalent expression is $3x + 12$.