3a - 8 (2a + 5b) - (a - 7b)

the next step would be

3a - 16a - 40b -a +7b

To complete the problem, combine all the a terms and all the b terms separately.

thanks

To simplify the expression 3a - 8(2a + 5b) - (a - 7b), we need to simplify each term and combine like terms.

Let's break it down step by step:

1. Distribute -8 to the terms inside the parentheses:
3a - 8 * 2a - 8 * 5b - (a - 7b)

Simplify the values inside the parentheses:
3a - 16a - 40b - (a - 7b)

2. Remove the parentheses using the distributive property:
3a - 16a - 40b - a + 7b

3. Combine like terms:
(3a - 16a - a) + (-40b + 7b)

Simplify the terms with the same variables:
(-13a) + (-33b)

So, the simplified expression is -13a - 33b.