Why does the degradation of palmitic acid to eight molecules of acetyl-CoA require seven rather than eight rounds of the β-oxidation process?

Answer 1

Think of the palmitic acid as a snickers bar. If your splitting the candy bar among eight friends you only have to cut the candy bar seven times. The concept is the same for spliting the long palmitic acid into eight acetyl-CoA's, you only have to cut it seven times in order to end with eight pieces.