Final answer:
When simplifying algebraic expressions, combine like terms by adding or subtracting terms that have the same variable and check the answer for reasonableness.
Step-by-step explanation:
When simplifying algebraic expressions, the goal is to eliminate terms wherever possible. This is done by combining like terms, which means adding or subtracting terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. For example, if you have the expression 2x + 3x, you can combine the x terms to get 5x.
After simplifying the expression, it's important to check the answer to see if it is reasonable. This can be done by substituting a value for the variable and evaluating the expression. If the result makes sense in the context of the problem, then the answer is likely correct.