In algebra, letters are used when numbers are not known. Algebraic terms, such as \(2s\) or \(8y\), leave the multiplication signs out. So rather than \(2 \times s\), write \(2s\), and rather than \(8 ...
Algebraic expressions can be simplified by collecting like terms. Positive like terms are often written before the negative like terms. When grouping the like terms together, the order does not matter ...