Answer:
[tex]10.7a - 8.1b[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
the simplest form of the expression (14.2a + 9.8b) - (13.1b - 0.2a) - (3.7a + 4.8b)
[tex](14.2a + 9.8b) - (13.1b - 0.2a)- (3.7a + 4.8b)[/tex]
To subtract the expressions we multiply negative sign inside the second parenthesis, change the sign of each term in second and third parenthesis
[tex]14.2a + 9.8b - 13.1b + 0.2a-3.7a-4.8b[/tex]
Now we combine like terms
[tex]14.2a +0.2a-3.7a = 10.7a[/tex]
[tex]9.8b - 13.1b-4.8b=-8.1b[/tex]
So the expression becomes
[tex]10.7a - 8.1b[/tex]
