When we add variables, we can think of the variables as objects.  So in the problem,

we can think of the variable a as apples.  We can say that we currently have 5 apples.  We go to the store and buy 6 more apples.  How many apples do we have now?  We have 11 apples.  

We can add variables the same way.  So,

Combine the following terms.

We need to realize that we can only add variables together if they have the same exponent. Then, all we need to do is add the coefficients (numbers in front)

So, let's reorganize our statement to have variables of the same power together

Now, we can add the first two and last two to get our answer

To add variables, we will look at the variables like objects.  So in the problem

we will think of a as being apples.  So we can read this problem as

So, if we have 3 apples, and we go to the market and we buy 6 more apples, how many apples do we now have?

We add variables the same way.  So,

We can look at this as we have 3 of something, we want to add 6 more somethings, so how many do we have now?

In the problem

we will first insert a coefficient on the second term.  When a variable stands alone, it has a coefficient of 1.  So,

When adding variables, we can look at the variables as objects, then combine those objects.

Now, we can think of the variable a as cars. So, we can look at it as

We can think of it like this:  If we see 5 cars pass by us on the road, and we see 1 more car pass us, how many cars have passed us?  The answer is 6.  There were 6 cars that passed us.  So,

We add variables the same way.

When adding variables, we can look at the variables as objects.  So, in the problem

we can think of x as books.  So, we can write it like this

We can think of it like this.  We have 4 books and we borrow 2 more books.  How many books have we borrowed?  

We have borrowed 6 books.  

We can add variables the same way.

When adding variables, we can look at the variables as objects.

So, in the problem

we can think of the variable a as apples.  So, we can write it like

We can think of the problem like this:  We have 2 apples, and we go to the store and buy 3 more apples.  How many apples do we have now?  We have 5 apples.  So, we can solve it like

We add variables the same way.  So,

To add variables, we will look at the variables like objects. So, in the problem

we can think of the variable a as airplanes.  So, we can write it like this:

We can think of the problem like this:  We are outside and we see 5 airplanes in the sky.  Throughout the day, we see 6 more airplanes.  How many airplanes do we see all day?  We see 11 airplanes.  So,

We add variables the same way.

To add variables, we can think of the variables like objects.  So, in the problem

we can think of the variable s as snakes.  So, we can write it like this:

We can think of it like this:  We are at the zoo.  We see 2 snakes in a pit.  We walk a little more, and we see 8 more snakes.  How many snakes have we seen at the zoo?  We have seen 10 snakes.  So,

We add variables the same way:

To add variables, we will look at the variables like they are objects.  So, in the problem

we can think of b as books.  So, we can write it like this:

We can think of the problem like this:  You have borrowed 2 books from the library.  You go back, and you borrow 7 more books.  How many total books have you borrowed?  You have borrowed a total of 9 books.  So,

We add variables the same way.  We get

When combining variables, we can think of the variables as objects. So, in the problem

we can think of the variable m as movies.  So, we can write it like this:

We can read it like this:  We have 2 movies.  We go to the store, and we buy 3 more movies.  How many movies do we have now?  We have 5 movies.  So,

We add variables the same way.