Question

Simplify 2x + x.

I feel like this would be the right answer : 2x²

Answer 1

that would be right if they had a multiplication
however they have addition

Answer 2

when there's addition combine like terms

Answer 3

3x ²

Answer 4

only 3x

Answer 5

3x² if I am not mistaken

Answer 6

when combining like terms don't change the power

Answer 7

explain your answer to me if can.

Answer 8

2 apples + 1 apple = 3 apples

Answer 9

thanks
so it would be 3x?

Answer 10

\[x \times x^{3} = x^{4}\]

yes

Answer 11

if x is an apple, then \(x^2\) is an orange. Don't mix apples and oranges! :)

Another way to understand this is to use factoring:

2x + x = x(2 + 1) = x(3) = 3x

You can't get \(x^2\) unless you have another FACTOR of x.

\(x\cdot x = x^2\) but x + x does not.

Answer 12

when combining like terms just count how often you have some x
don't change the power

so we have 2x and another x
that makes 3x

Answer 13

In general:

\(ax + bx = (a + b)x\)
\(ax^2 + bx^2 = (a + b)x^2\)
\(ax^3 + bx^3 = (a + b)x^3\)

......etc...........
For addition/subtraction, just combine the coefficients of the LIKE TERMS. (apples and apples :)

Answer 14

thanks a lot! I understand now. Let me write all of this down now.