Question

How is combining "like terms" similar to adding and subtracting whole numbers?

Answer 1

Because like terms you add or subtract together to make it easier to do the problem. just like you do with whole numbers. you add an subtract to make the answer simpler.

Answer 2

Adding and subtracting like terms is the same as adding and subtracting of numbers, i.e., natural numbers, whole numbers and integers. So, the sum and the difference of several like terms is another like term whose coefficient is the sum and the difference of the coefficient of several like terms.

hope this helped:)