Final answer:
The simplified expression is 5x² + 5x - 7, which is achieved by combining like terms: adding the x² terms, the x terms, and the constant terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
To simplify the expression 3x² + 8x - 2 + 2x² - 3x - 5, we need to combine like terms. This involves adding the coefficients of the same powers of x together and summing any constant terms.
We combine the x² terms: 3x² + 2x² = 5x².
Next, we combine the x terms: 8x - 3x = 5x.
Lastly, we add the constant terms together: -2 - 5 = -7.
Therefore, the simplified expression is 5x² + 5x - 7, which matches option A).