To collect like terms and simplify expressions, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify Like Terms
- Look for terms that contain the same variable raised to the same power. For example, in the expression \(3x\), \(x\), and \(2x\), all of these contain the variable \(x\).
Step 2: Group Like Terms
- Rewrite the expression by grouping all like terms together. You can place constants together and variable terms together.
Example:
Given the expression: \[ 7 + 3x + x + 4 + 2x \]
Step 3: Rewrite the Expression
- Start by grouping the constants and the like terms: \[ (7 + 4) + (3x + x + 2x) \]
Step 4: Combine Constants
- Evaluate the constants: \[ 7 + 4 = 11 \]
Step 5: Combine Like Variable Terms
- Combine the variable terms: \[ 3x + x + 2x = 3x + 1x + 2x = 6x \]
Final Step: Write the Simplified Expression
- Now, combine the results: \[ 11 + 6x \]
Summary:
After collecting like terms and simplifying, we find: \[ 11 + 6x \]
Final Note:
If you're solving an equation (like \(11 + 6x = 9\)), you would then proceed to isolate the variable \(x\) through standard algebraic methods.
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