Simplifying 4m + 9 + 5m + -12 = 42 Reorder the terms: 9 + -12 + 4m + 5m = 42 Combine like terms: 9 + -12 = -3 -3 + 4m + 5m = 42 Combine like terms: 4m + 5m = 9m -3 + 9m = 42 Solving -3 + 9m = 42 Solving for variable 'm'. Move all terms containing m to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '3' to each side of the equation. -3 + 3 + 9m = 42 + 3 Combine like terms: -3 + 3 = 0 0 + 9m = 42 + 3 9m = 42 + 3 Combine like terms: 42 + 3 = 45 9m = 45 Divide each side by '9'. m = 5
