Can I add x to 3x to the second power?

Question

Can I add x to 3x To the second power also when you combine like terms do you have to use pemdas

Answer 1

Like terms must have the same variables raised to the same exponents.

 

For example:

Like terms

3x and 5x

2x² and 17x²

6xy³ and -7xy³

 

Not like terms

3x and 2x²

6x³y and 19xy³

 

 

So, you cannot combine x + 3x²  because the variable x has different exponents.