(5 x)/4 - 8 y - x/4 + 7 y + 3 Put each term in (5 x)/4 - 8 y - x/4 + 7 y + 3 over the common denominator 4: (5 x)/4 - 8 y - x/4 + 7 y + 3 = (5 x)/4 - (32 y)/4 - (x)/4 + (28 y)/4 + 12/4: (5 x)/4 - (32 y)/4 - x/4 + (28 y)/4 + 12/4 (5 x)/4 - (32 y)/4 - x/4 + (28 y)/4 + 12/4 = (5 x - 32 y - x + 28 y + 12)/4: (5 x - 32 y - x + 28 y + 12)/4 Grouping like terms, 5 x - 32 y - x + 28 y + 12 = (28 y - 32 y) + (5 x - x) + 12: ((28 y - 32 y) + (5 x - x) + 12)/4 28 y - 32 y = -4 y: (-4 y + (5 x - x) + 12)/4 5 x - x = 4 x: (-4 y + 4 x + 12)/4 Factor 4 out of -4 y + 4 x + 12: (4 (-y + x + 3))/4 (4 (-y + x + 3))/4 = 4/4×(3 + x - y) = 3 + x - y: Answer: 3 + x - y </span>