1. **Stating the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(3x + 7) - (-2x - 5) + (8x + 2) - (-x + 6)$$. 2. **Recall the rule:** When subtracting a quantity in parentheses, change the signs of each term inside the parentheses. 3. **Apply the rule:** $$(3x + 7) - (-2x - 5) + (8x + 2) - (-x + 6) = 3x + 7 + 2x + 5 + 8x + 2 + x - 6$$ 4. **Combine like terms:** - Combine $x$ terms: $3x + 2x + 8x + x = (3 + 2 + 8 + 1)x = 14x$ - Combine constants: $7 + 5 + 2 - 6 = 8$ 5. **Final simplified expression:** $$14x + 8$$ This is the simplified form of the given expression.