1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $\frac{5x}{5+x} + 17.5$. 2. **Understand the expression:** The expression consists of a rational term $\frac{5x}{5+x}$ and a constant term $17.5$. 3. **No further simplification is possible without a value for $x$:** Since $x$ is a variable, the expression is already simplified in terms of $x$. 4. **If you want to write as a single fraction:** $$\frac{5x}{5+x} + 17.5 = \frac{5x}{5+x} + \frac{17.5(5+x)}{5+x} = \frac{5x + 17.5(5+x)}{5+x}$$ 5. **Expand numerator:** $$5x + 17.5 \times 5 + 17.5 \times x = 5x + 87.5 + 17.5x = (5x + 17.5x) + 87.5 = 22.5x + 87.5$$ 6. **Final expression as a single fraction:** $$\frac{22.5x + 87.5}{5+x}$$ This is the simplified form combining the terms. **Answer:** $\frac{22.5x + 87.5}{5+x}$