John and Gary share a workload. At a certain point, John worked 2 more hours than Gary. The next day, John has worked 4 of Gary’s usual hours. How many more hours has John worked than Gary?

If these both men were working at normal hours, and then, (John) worked "2 more hours" than Gary has, this would just mean that he has worked more.

x+2= x+2.

Now if John has worked the double amount, 4 more times than Gary's usual hours, this would mean something quite different.

Then the expression would look like, (x+2×4x)

We don't know how many hours are the "usual hours", this is what "x" would then represent.

John has then worked (4×2+x) more hours than Gary.

Your answer: (4×2+x)