Question

simplify the expression $3a - 5b - 7a - 2b$.

Explanation:

Step1: Group like terms

Group the terms with \(a\) and the terms with \(b\) together: \((3a - 7a)+(-5b - 2b)\)

Step2: Combine like terms

For the \(a\) terms: \(3a - 7a=(3 - 7)a=-4a\)
For the \(b\) terms: \(-5b - 2b=(-5 - 2)b=-7b\)
So the simplified expression is \(-4a - 7b\)

Answer:

\(-4a - 7b\)