To simplify the expression \(5(a - 3b) - 4a + b\), we'll follow these steps:
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Distribute the 5 into the parentheses: \[ 5(a - 3b) = 5a - 15b \]
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Substitute this back into the expression: \[ 5a - 15b - 4a + b \]
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Combine like terms:
- For the \(a\) terms: \(5a - 4a = 1a\) or simply \(a\)
- For the \(b\) terms: \(-15b + b = -15b + 1b = -14b\)
Thus, combining these results, we get: \[ a - 14b \]
The equivalent expression is: \[ a - 14b \]
So, the answer is \(a - 14b\).