To simplify the expression \(3(x - 8y) - 2(5x - 4y)\), we will follow these steps:
- Distribute the constants (3 and -2) across the terms inside the parentheses.
- Combine like terms.
Let's begin by distributing:
-
Distributing 3 to \(x - 8y\): \[ 3(x - 8y) = 3x - 24y \]
-
Distributing -2 to \(5x - 4y\): \[ -2(5x - 4y) = -10x + 8y \]
Now, substituting the distributed terms back into the expression:
\[ 3(x - 8y) - 2(5x - 4y) = (3x - 24y) + (-10x + 8y) \]
Next, we combine like terms. The terms involving \(x\) are \(3x\) and \(-10x\), and the terms involving \(y\) are \(-24y\) and \(8y\).
-
Combining \(x\) terms: \[ 3x - 10x = -7x \]
-
Combining \(y\) terms: \[ -24y + 8y = -16y \]
Putting it all together, we get:
\[ -7x - 16y \]
Thus, the completely simplified expression is:
\[ \boxed{-7x - 16y} \]