Question

Combine any like terms in the expression 4a + a​

Answer 1

4a is the same as adding "a" to itself 4 times.

So, 4a = a + a + a + a

Since 4a and a both have the term "a" in them,

4a + a = a + a + a + a + a

Since there are 5 a's on the right side, this can be combined to simplify,

4a + a = a + a + a + a + a
= 5a