For this case we have the following expression:

The terms are not similar, so they cannot be added.
<em>Examples of similar terms:</em>

Then, the expression given can only be rewritten as:

This is taking common factor 2 to both terms.
Answer:

Okay, to find length CE, your going to know the value of x. Length BC + CE = BD + DE.3x+47+x+26=27+x+10Simplify the equation to get4x+73=37+xyou can choose one of four ways to continue, but I will choose to subtract x3x+73=37Subtract 73 from both sides of the equal sign3x=-36divide by 3 on both sides of the equal sign to get the value of xx=-12Now, plug in -12 for x in length CE to get -12+26=14

Plug in -1 for x
and you'll get this:

Solve it further and you'll get:

Therefore,

where x = -1