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"Like terms" are terms that have the same variables, but possibly with different numbers. "Collect" means to put them together - add the numbers. For example, in an expression such as:

5x + 3y - 2x

You can combine the "x" terms:

(5x - 2x) + 3y

and add the numbers (this is justified by the distributive property:

(5x - 2x) + 3y

= (5 - 2)x + 3y

= 3x + 3y

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Q: What does collect like terms mean in maths?
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