# Collect like terms Simplifying means **tidy**, not “make a number at all costs”. `5x + 2 + 3x − 6` Group x-terms: `5x + 3x = 8x` Group numbers: `2 − 6 = −4` Result: `8x − 4` ## With several letters `2a + 3b + a − b = 3a + 2b` Leave unlike terms separate. > Underline all x-terms in one colour (or all a-terms). Your eyes will stop mixing bananas and apples. ## A tidy method that never mixes families 1. Rewrite the expression with every sign in front of its term `5x + 2 + 3x − 6` → `(+5x) (+2) (+3x) (−6)` 2. Circle (or underline) the same leftovers 3. Add those coefficients 4. Write the families in a calm order: letters alphabetically, constant last `8x − 4` ### Order of writing `3a + 2b` is easier to mark than `2b + 3a` (both correct). Prefer alphabetical. ### What “simplified” means here No like terms left uncombined. Brackets gone if we already expanded. That is enough.