1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$6x - 8 - 4x + 2$$ by grouping like terms. 2. **Identify like terms:** Variable terms contain $$x$$ and constant terms are numbers without $$x$$. 3. **Group the variable terms:** $$6x$$ and $$-4x$$. 4. **Group the constant terms:** $$-8$$ and $$2$$. 5. **Rewrite the expression grouping like terms:** $$6x - 8 - 4x + 2 = (6x + (-4x)) + (-8 + 2)$$ 6. **Simplify each group:** $$6x + (-4x) = (6 - 4)x = 2x$$ $$-8 + 2 = -6$$ 7. **Final simplified expression:** $$2x - 6$$ **Answer:** The expression equivalent to $$6x - 8 - 4x + 2$$ is $$2x - 6$$.