Question

simplify.
3a - 7a

Explanation:

Step1: Combine like terms

To simplify \(3a - 7a\), we use the distributive property in reverse, which is \(ac - bc=(a - b)c\). Here, \(c = a\), \(a = 3\), and \(b = 7\). So we can factor out \(a\) from both terms:
\(3a-7a=(3 - 7)a\)

Step2: Calculate the coefficient

Now we calculate the value of \(3-7\):
\(3 - 7=-4\)
So, \((3 - 7)a=-4a\)

Answer:

\(-4a\)