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 and the same exponent — can be combined.
( 5y + 3y^2) + ( - 8y - 6y^2)
In this case, we have two y-terms, and two y^2-terms.
Both the y-terms and y^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.
