3a - 6 + a^2 - 3( a^2 + 8)

To simplify the expression 3a - 6 + a^2 - 3( a^2 + 8), we can start by distributing the -3 to the terms inside the parentheses:

3a - 6 + a^2 - 3a^2 - 24

Next, let's combine like terms:

(3a - 3a^2) + (a^2 - 6 - 24)

-a^2 + 3a + a^2 - 30

The terms -a^2 and a^2 cancel each other out, leaving us with:

3a - 30

Therefore, the simplified expression is 3a - 30.