What do you get when you simplify the expression 5m - 7m + 3m?

• A. 3m
• B. m
• C. -m
• D. 5m

Answer: (B)

To simplify the expression 5m - 7m + 3m, you start by identifying and combining the like terms, which are all the terms involving 'm'.

First, arrange the expression:

(5m - 7m + 3m).

Next, perform the addition and subtraction step-by-step:

1. Combine 5m and -7m:

5m - 7m = -2m.

2. Now add that result to the remaining term, which is 3m:

-2m + 3m = 1m.

The result of this operation is simply m, which is the simplified form of the expression. Therefore, the final answer that you achieve from simplifying the original expression is m.

This indicates that the simplification of the original terms led to a single 'm', aligning perfectly with the concept of combining like terms in algebra.