\[при\ a = - \frac{1}{7};\ \ b = - 2:\]
\[\frac{7}{12}ab^{3} = - \frac{7}{12} \cdot \frac{1}{7} \cdot ( - 2)^{3} =\]
\[= \frac{7 \cdot 8}{12 \cdot 7} = \frac{2}{3}\text{\ .}\]