Main Answer:
The simplified expression for
. (Option B).
Step-by-step explanation:
1. Start by combining like terms, which involves adding the coefficients of terms with the same variables and exponents.
2. For the
terms:
since they share a common factor of
.
3. For the
terms:
since they share a common factor of
.
4. For the
terms:
cannot be combined since the exponents are different, so it remains
.
5. Putting it all together, the simplified expression is
.
Therefore, the correct answer is (b)
.