How To: Combine like terms
In order to combine like terms, you need to look at the variables. Terms can only be combined if the variables are all identical. The first thing that you would have to do is look for matching variables. In the example, x + 2x5 + y2 - 9x - 2x5 + 5y2, you should try to see which ones match. Then, group them together. Match the x's with the x's and the y's with y's. Therefore x - 9x = - 8x. 2x5 - 2x5 = 0. Y2 + 5y2 = 6y2.
