1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$(7mn - 5mp + 8np) + (-2mn - 6np)$$ by combining like terms. 2. **Identify like terms:** Like terms have the same variables with the same exponents. - $7mn$ and $-2mn$ are like terms. - $-5mp$ has no like term in the second parentheses. - $8np$ and $-6np$ are like terms. 3. **Combine like terms:** $$7mn + (-2mn) = (7 - 2)mn = 5mn$$ $$-5mp$$ remains as is. $$8np + (-6np) = (8 - 6)np = 2np$$ 4. **Write the simplified expression:** $$5mn - 5mp + 2np$$ This is the expression with as few terms as possible after addition and simplification.