How do you add 2x + -5x? Algebra Expressions, Equations, and Functions Variable Expressions 1 Answer Don't Memorise Sep 25, 2015 (2x) + (-5x) = color(green)( -3x Explanation: The variable x is common to both the terms. So taking the common factor out, we get: (2x) + (-5x) = x*{2+(-5)} = x*{2-5} = x*(-3) =color(green)( -3x Answer link Related questions How do you write the variable expression for: a quotient of 2 and the sum of a number and 3 ? What are variables? What are variable expressions? How do you write variable expressions? How do you evaluate variable expressions? How do you simplify the expression 3x-x+4? How do you write a quotient of a number and 6 as an expression? How do you evaluate the expression 2x+1 for x=1? How do you write a product of a number and 2 as an expression? How do you write 5 less than 2 times a number as a variable expression? See all questions in Variable Expressions Impact of this question 1800 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License