Answer
We came up with the expression $x - (3x + 9)$, which can be simplified as $-2x - 9$.
Work Step by Step
First, we need to translate the different portions of this problem:
Multiply a number by $3$:
$$3x$$
Add $9$ to this product:
$$3x + 9$$
Subtract this sum from the number:
$$x - (3x + 9)$$
When we subtract an expression in parentheses, we add the opposite of every term within the parentheses. We get rid of the parentheses in this way:
$$x - 3x - 9$$
Group like terms:
$$(x - 3x) - 9$$
Combine like terms:
$$-2x - 9$$
We came up with the expression $x - (3x + 9)$, which can be simplified as $-2x - 9$.