Simplify the expression 8a - 3 + 2a.

• A. 10a - 3
• B. 6a + 3
• C. 8a - 5
• D. 10a + 3

Answer: (A)

To simplify the expression 8a - 3 + 2a, the first step is to identify and combine the like terms. In this expression, the like terms are those that involve the variable 'a', specifically 8a and 2a.

When you combine these terms, you perform the operation:

8a + 2a = 10a.

Next, you also need to include the constant term from the expression, which is -3. Therefore, after combining the like terms, you keep -3 as it is because it does not involve 'a' and cannot be combined with the terms that do.

Putting it all together, the simplified expression becomes:

10a - 3.

This is why the correct answer is 10a - 3. The final expression correctly represents the combination of like terms.