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.
( -6x+ 5)+( 4x - 7)In this case, we have two x-terms and two constants. Let's arrange the like terms in columns. Then, let's perform the addition.
-6 x + 5&
(+) 4 x -7&
-2 x -2&
Therefore, we get the following result.
(-6x+5)+(4x-7) = -2 x - 2
