1. **State the problem:** Simplify the algebraic expression by combining like terms: $$6x + 7a - 3x - 2a$$ 2. **Identify like terms:** Like terms have the same variable raised to the same power. Here, $6x$ and $-3x$ are like terms, and $7a$ and $-2a$ are like terms. 3. **Combine like terms:** - Combine $6x$ and $-3x$: $$6x - 3x = (6 - 3)x = 3x$$ - Combine $7a$ and $-2a$: $$7a - 2a = (7 - 2)a = 5a$$ 4. **Write the simplified expression:** $$3x + 5a$$ This is the simplified form of the given expression by combining like terms.