Combining like terms
The question
2x + 4x + 20
Collect the like terms.
2x + 4x + 20
2x + 4x + 20
2 + 4=6
20=20
6x+20
- There are two kinds of term: x terms and plain numbers, and they cannot mix. The x terms are 2x and 4x, and the numbers are 20.
- Add up the x pile, keeping the signs: 2 + 4 = 6, so 6x.
- There is only one plain number, so that pile is already done: 20.
- So it is 6x + 20 — two terms, and that is finished. It is not 26x, because x terms and numbers do not combine.
How it works.
- 01
There are two kinds of term: x terms and plain numbers, and they cannot mix. The x terms are 2x and 4x, and the numbers are 20.
- 02
Add up the x pile, keeping the signs: 2 + 4 = 6, so 6x.
- 03
There is only one plain number, so that pile is already done: 20.
- 04
So it is 6x + 20 — two terms, and that is finished. It is not 26x, because x terms and numbers do not combine.