Final answer:
The simplest term for the expression -s - 5(3s - 8) after distribution and combining like terms is -16s + 40. None of the given options A, B, C, or D accurately represent this simplification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expression -s - 5(3s - 8) needs to be simplified by first distributing the -5 across the terms inside the parentheses. This gives us:
-s - 5 × 3s + 5 × 8
Which simplifies further to:
-s - 15s + 40
Combining like terms (-s and -15s) gives us:
-16s + 40
However, this result is not among the provided options, indicating there might be an error in the student's question or the provided options. If this question were multiple choice, none of the given options (A) -15s + 40, (B) -s - 15s + 40, (C) -8s - 40, (D) -15s - 40 would be correct for the given expression.