1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $7A = -2[-7 - 3(4) + 5 - 2(-1)] + 3(6 + 8)$. 2. **Apply the order of operations:** Start by simplifying inside the brackets and parentheses. 3. Calculate inside the brackets: $$-7 - 3(4) + 5 - 2(-1) = -7 - 12 + 5 + 2$$ 4. Simplify the expression inside the brackets: $$-7 - 12 + 5 + 2 = (-7 - 12) + (5 + 2) = -19 + 7 = -12$$ 5. Substitute back into the equation: $$7A = -2[-12] + 3(6 + 8)$$ 6. Simplify the multiplication: $$7A = 24 + 3(14)$$ 7. Calculate the multiplication on the right: $$7A = 24 + 42$$ 8. Add the terms on the right: $$7A = 66$$ 9. Solve for $A$ by dividing both sides by 7: $$A = \frac{66}{7}$$ 10. Show the cancellation step: $$A = \cancel{\frac{66}{7}}$$ (no common factors to cancel) 11. Final answer: $$A = \frac{66}{7}$$ or approximately $9.43$