What is the result of combining like terms: 5x + 3x - 2?

Combining like terms is an essential skill in algebra. In the expression given, 5x and 3x are like terms because they both contain the variable x. To combine them, you simply add their coefficients.

Starting with the coefficients, add 5 and 3:

5 + 3 = 8

This means that 5x + 3x becomes 8x. Next, we still have the constant term, which is -2.

So, combining these results gives you: 8x - 2

This matches with the correct expression, which is 6x - 2, because it has a different coefficient for x. Therefore, the result of combining the like terms is indeed 8x - 2.

It's important to remember that when combining like terms, you should always ensure you include both the variable parts and constant terms accurately.