1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $4x - (2x + 3)$. 2. **Apply the distributive property:** Remove the parentheses by distributing the minus sign: $$4x - 1 \times (2x + 3) = 4x - 2x - 3$$ 3. **Combine like terms:** Combine the $x$ terms: $$4x - 2x = \cancel{4x} - \cancel{2x} + 2x = 2x$$ So the expression simplifies to: $$2x - 3$$ 4. **Final answer:** The simplified form of $4x - (2x + 3)$ is $2x - 3$.