1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$-\frac{40}{5} - \frac{7}{8}$$. 2. **Simplify each term:** - Simplify $$-\frac{40}{5}$$ by dividing 40 by 5: $$-\frac{40}{5} = -\cancel{\frac{40}{5}} = -8$$ 3. **Rewrite the expression:** $$-8 - \frac{7}{8}$$ 4. **Find a common denominator to subtract:** - The common denominator between 1 (for -8) and 8 is 8. - Rewrite $$-8$$ as $$-\frac{64}{8}$$ because $$-8 = -8 \times \frac{8}{8} = -\frac{64}{8}$$. 5. **Subtract the fractions:** $$-\frac{64}{8} - \frac{7}{8} = \frac{-64 - 7}{8} = \frac{-71}{8}$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$-\frac{71}{8}$$ or as a mixed number $$-8 \frac{7}{8}$$. This means the simplified result of the expression is $$-\frac{71}{8}$$.