7th Grade Math:

A library keeps track of the number of overdue items at the end of each month.

* At the end of April, there were x overdue items.

* At the end of May, the number of overdue items was 3% less than the number of overdue items at the end of April.

The expression x - 0.03x represents the number of overdue items at the end of May. Which sentence best explains how to simplify the expression that represents the number of overdue items at the end of May?

A. Combine x and 0.03x, since they are like terms, by cancelling out the x.

B. Combine c and 0.03x, since they are like terms, by subtracting 1 - 0.03 to find the new coefficient.

C. Factor out an x, since it appears in both terms, leaving 1 in the first term and 0.03x in the second term.

D. Factor out an x, since it appears in both terms, eliminating the first term and leaving 0.03 in the second term.