The next 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.
4rxt- 8r^2x + x^2- 6rx^2 - 5rxt + 2x^2
We have two pairs of like terms: two rxt-terms and two x^2-terms. To simplify the expression we will rearrange it according to the Commutative Property of Addition and then combine like terms.