Question

. Why can we only “combine” terms that are “like”, meaning the same exponent & variable is present. That is, why can we only add x’s to x’s, x2’s to x2’s, and so on?

Answer 1

Think of them like like apples and oranges. They are both fruit (they both contain x), but they are not the same type of fruit. If an equation is x+x2 that would be like asking for one apple and one orange, not two apples or oranges. I'm sorry if I am not answering this very clearly.

Answer 2

yes thank you I get it now lol