a The first step in simplifying this expression is to identify which, if any, terms can be combined. Remember, only like terms — constant terms or terms with the same variable — can be combined.
2x + 8 + 6x + 5
In this case, we have two x-terms and two constants.
Both the x-terms and the constants can be combined, so to simplify the expression we will rearrange it according to the Commutative Property of Addition, and then combine like terms.
Now we can identify which, if any, terms can be combined. Remember, only like terms — constant terms or terms with the same variable — can be combined.
15 + 6x - 12 - 4x
In this case, we have two x-terms and two constants.
Both the x-terms and the constants can be combined, so to simplify the expression we will rearrange it according to the Commutative Property of Addition, and then combine like terms.
Now we can identify which, if any, terms can be combined. Remember, only like terms — constant terms or terms with the same variable and the same exponent — can be combined.
10x^2 + 35x + 3x^2 - 5x
In this case, we have two x-terms and two x^2-terms.
Both the x-terms and the x^2-terms can be combined, so to simplify the expression we will rearrange it according to the Commutative Property of Addition, and then combine like terms.
