1. **State the problem:** Calculate the value of the expression $7 \times 8 - 7 \times 7$. 2. **Recall the order of operations:** Multiplication and subtraction are involved. Perform multiplication first, then subtraction. 3. **Calculate each multiplication:** $$7 \times 8 = 56$$ $$7 \times 7 = 49$$ 4. **Substitute these values back into the expression:** $$56 - 49$$ 5. **Perform the subtraction:** $$56 - 49 = 7$$ 6. **Final answer:** The value of the expression $7 \times 8 - 7 \times 7$ is $7$.