Variables, Coefficients, and Like Terms

Definitions

Variable: An unknown number or quantity that is often represented by a letter.
Example: In 5x, x is the variable.
Coefficient: The number in front of a variable that multiplies the variable.
Example: In 5x, 5 is the coefficient.
Like term: Terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. They can have different coefficients.
Example: 5x and 2x are like terms. 5x and 2x^2 are not like terms.
Note. 2x^2 is read as 2 x to the power of 2

Question 1: In 5x, what is the coefficient? The answer is 5. Good job. That was fire!

If terms have the same variable raised to the same power, you can add or subtract them.

The variable and power stay the same. The only thing that changes is the coefficient.

Example:
13x + 5x = 18x

If the terms are different, leave them alone.

Example:
5x + y = 5x + y

Why?
5x and y are not like terms. One has x and the other has y, so they cannot be combined.

Question 2: 2x squared + 3x squared equals? 5x squared That was FUEGO