4x+2x=6x4x + 2x = 6x4x+2x=6x. But 3x+5y3x + 5y3x+5y cannot combine — different variables. 2x2+3x2=5x22x^2 + 3x^2 = 5x^22x2+3x2=5x2 combines because both have x2x^2x2.