1. The problem is to simplify the expression $6(5x - 3)$ by distributing the 6 to both terms inside the parentheses. 2. The distributive property states that $a(b + c) = ab + ac$. Here, $a=6$, $b=5x$, and $c=-3$. 3. Apply the distributive property: $$6(5x - 3) = 6 \times 5x + 6 \times (-3)$$ 4. Multiply: $$6 \times 5x = 30x$$ $$6 \times (-3) = -18$$ 5. Combine the results: $$30x - 18$$ 6. So, the equivalent expression with the fewest symbols is $30x - 18$.