5x^2-6-12x^2+12+2x

Question

combining like terms

Answer 1

Hi there. Like terms are terms that have the same variable factors. 2x and 2y are not like terms, but 5x and -8x are like terms. x² and x are NOT like terms, because x²=x*x (it has two variable factors). In an expression, find the like terms and add their coefficients to combine like terms.

5x²-6-12x²+12+2x

-7x² + 2x + 6

Don't add exponents. Remember that x*x = x² but 2x = x + x.