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.
x + 5 + x^2 - 3x + 7
We have two pairs of like terms: two x-terms and two constants. To simplify the expression we will rearrange it according to the Commutative Property of Addition and then combine like terms.
