1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $5x - 2(2 - x)$. 2. **Apply the distributive property:** Multiply $-2$ by each term inside the parentheses: $$5x - 2 \times 2 + 2 \times x = 5x - 4 + 2x$$ 3. **Combine like terms:** Add the $x$ terms together: $$5x + 2x - 4 = 7x - 4$$ 4. **Final answer:** The simplified expression is $7x - 4$.