Question: How to simplify equations?
1. **State the problem:** We want to learn how to simplify equations.
2. **Formula and rules:** Simplifying equations involves combining like terms, using distributive property, and canceling common factors.
3. **Step-by-step explanation:**
- Combine like terms: terms with the same variable and exponent.
- Use distributive property: $$a(b+c) = ab + ac$$.
- Cancel common factors by dividing both sides by the same nonzero number, showing cancellation with \cancel{}.
4. **Example:** Simplify $$2x + 3x - 4 + 6$$.
- Combine like terms: $$2x + 3x = 5x$$.
- Combine constants: $$-4 + 6 = 2$$.
- So, simplified equation is $$5x + 2$$.
5. **Another example with cancellation:** Simplify $$\frac{6x}{3}$$.
- Divide numerator and denominator by 3: $$\frac{\cancel{3} \cdot 2x}{\cancel{3}} = 2x$$.
6. **Summary:** Simplify equations by combining like terms, applying distributive property, and canceling common factors carefully.