Step by step
The question
Question: simplify 6x + 2 − 4x + 5.
Simplify means: write it shorter, with the same value.
6x + 2 − 4x + 5
1 Group like terms
Terms are the parts between the + and − signs.
Like terms are the same kind: same letters, same powers.
All the x terms go together.
Plain numbers go together.
Each colour is one kind.
like terms = same letters,
same powers
We move like terms next to each other.
Each term takes its sign with it.
= 6x − 4x + 2 + 5
6x − 4x is 2x.
It is like 6 apples take away 4 apples: that is 2 apples.
2 + 5 is 7.
6x − 4x = 2x
2 + 5 = 7
So the expression is 2x + 7.
= 2x + 7
2 Check
Let's check.
We pick a number for each letter: x = 2.
We put it into the start.
Start: 6 × 2 + 2 − 4 × 2 + 5
= 12 + 2 − 8 + 5 = 11
Now into our answer.
Answer: 2 × 2 + 7 = 4 + 7 = 11
Both give 11.
Same value, so 2x + 7 is right!
Both give 11
Let's look back.
First: group like terms.
Last: check.
Answer
= 2x + 7