What are the coordinates of the image of the point \( (7,8) \) after a \( 90^{\circ} \) clockwise rotation about the origin? Select one: a. \( (8,-7) \) b. \( (-8,7) \) c. \( (-7,-8) \) d. \( (8,7) \)

When a point \( (x, y) \) is rotated \( 90^{\circ} \) clockwise about the origin, its new coordinates become \( (y, -x) \). For the point \( (7, 8) \), applying this transformation gives us the new coordinates \( (8, -7) \). Thus, the correct answer is: a. \( (8,-7) \). In rotation transformations, remember that the direction (clockwise vs. counterclockwise) greatly changes the resulting coordinates. Always double-check the order of the transformations to avoid mistakes!