16x + 16x would be an example of similar terms. Both have corresponding variables (x). The coefficient does not have to be the same for it it have similar terms. Terms are based only on the variable.
16x² + 32x² are similar terms.
16x² + 32x³ are not similar terms.
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Take 3x + 7y - x + 12y as an example. Collecting similar terms gives 3x - x + 7y + 12y ie 2x + 19y. Get it?
That refers to terms that have exactly the same combination of variables. For example, in 5xy + x2 - 3xy, the first and last term have the same variables, so they are similar. You can simplify an expression by combining such terms.
Similar terms or like terms are terms with the exact same variable and the variable have the exact same exponents. So x2 and 2x2 are like terms but x2 and x are not.
2y+3y
By rearranging and combining similar terms. For example, 3x + 5x = (3+5)x = 8x.