\[- \frac{2}{3}a + \frac{5}{6}b - \frac{1}{8}a - \frac{7}{12}b =\]
\[= - \left( \frac{16}{24} + \frac{3}{24} \right)a + \left( \frac{10}{12} - \frac{7}{12} \right)b =\]
\[= - \frac{19}{24}a + \frac{3}{12}b = - \frac{19}{24}a + \frac{1}{4}b\]