Simplify the following: \( -3(x+2)(x-4) \)

To simplify the expression \( -3(x+2)(x-4) \), start by applying the distributive property (also known as the FOIL method for binomials). First, multiply the two binomials: \[ (x+2)(x-4) = x^2 - 4x + 2x - 8 = x^2 - 2x - 8. \] Now, take this result and multiply it by \(-3\): \[ -3(x^2 - 2x - 8) = -3x^2 + 6x + 24. \] So, the simplified expression is: \[ -3x^2 + 6x + 24. \]