Simplify the expression 9m - 3 + 4m.

• A. 5m - 3
• B. 9m - 3
• C. 13m - 3
• D. 13m + 3

Answer: (C)

To simplify the expression (9m - 3 + 4m), you begin by identifying the like terms. Like terms in this context are terms that contain the same variable raised to the same power. Here, (9m) and (4m) are like terms because they both contain the variable (m).

Next, you combine the coefficients of these like terms. The coefficient of (9m) is 9 and the coefficient of (4m) is 4. When you add these coefficients together, you perform the calculation:

[

9 + 4 = 13

]

Therefore, combining these terms gives you (13m).

Now, you still have the constant term (-3) in the original expression. Since (-3) does not have any like terms to combine with (as it is a constant), you simply write it down alongside the combined (m) term.

Putting everything together, the simplified expression becomes:

[

13m - 3

]

This process highlights the importance of correctly recognizing and combining like terms to arrive at a simplified expression. Thus, the correct simplified form is (13m - 3).