1. Problem statement: Simplify the expression $2x$. 2. Interpretation: The expression $2x$ denotes the product of the constant 2 and the variable $x$. 3. Simplify: There are no like terms to combine and no operations to perform, so $2x$ is already in simplest form. 4. Alternative forms: You may write $2x$ as $2\cdot x$ or as $2(x)$; factoring the 2 gives $2(x)$ which simplifies back to $2x$. 5. Final answer: $2x$.