1. **State the problem:** Expand the expression $3[x + 2(x - 4)]$. 2. **Recall the distributive property:** $a(b + c) = ab + ac$. This means we multiply each term inside the brackets by the factor outside. 3. **Start inside the brackets:** $$x + 2(x - 4)$$ Distribute the 2: $$x + 2x - 8$$ 4. **Combine like terms inside the brackets:** $$x + 2x = 3x$$ So the expression inside the brackets becomes: $$3x - 8$$ 5. **Now multiply the entire bracket by 3:** $$3(3x - 8)$$ Distribute 3: $$3 \times 3x - 3 \times 8 = 9x - 24$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$9x - 24$$