1. **Problem statement:** Simplify the algebraic expression $$c. (-14.2b - 97.35) + (6.76 d - 118.7 - 3.4 d)$$ by combining like terms. 2. **Step 1: Remove parentheses and distribute any coefficients if needed.** Here, the expression is already distributed since there is no coefficient outside the parentheses other than 1. 3. **Step 2: Group like terms.** Group the terms with $b$, $d$, and constants separately: $$-14.2b + (6.76 d - 3.4 d) + (-97.35 - 118.7)$$ 4. **Step 3: Simplify the $d$ terms:** $$6.76 d - 3.4 d = (6.76 - 3.4)d = 3.36 d$$ 5. **Step 4: Simplify the constants:** $$-97.35 - 118.7 = -216.05$$ 6. **Step 5: Write the simplified expression:** $$-14.2 b + 3.36 d - 216.05$$ **Final answer:** $$-14.2 b + 3.36 d - 216.05$$