a) $$5a - 3b + 8a + 12b = (5a + 8a) + (-3b + 12b) = 13a + 9b$$.
Ответ: $$\boxed{13a + 9b}$$.
б) $$16c + (3c - 2) - (5c + 7) = 16c + 3c - 2 - 5c - 7 = (16c + 3c - 5c) + (-2 - 7) = 14c - 9$$.
Ответ: $$\boxed{14c - 9}$$.
в) $$7 - 8(6y - 4) = 7 - 48y + 32 = -48y + (7 + 32) = -48y + 39$$.
Ответ: $$\boxed{-48y + 39}$$