1. **State the problem:** Simplify the algebraic expression $8ab + 5a$. 2. **Identify common factors:** Look for common factors in each term. Here, both terms have a factor of $a$. 3. **Factor out the common factor:** $$8ab + 5a = a(8b) + a(5) = a(8b + 5)$$ 4. **Final answer:** The expression factored is $$a(8b + 5)$$ This is the simplest form since $8b + 5$ cannot be simplified further.