1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $$3a^2 + 4b + a + 5a^2 + 3b + 2a$$. 2. **Identify like terms:** Terms with the same variable and exponent can be combined. - Combine terms with $$a^2$$: $$3a^2$$ and $$5a^2$$. - Combine terms with $$b$$: $$4b$$ and $$3b$$. - Combine terms with $$a$$: $$a$$ and $$2a$$. 3. **Combine like terms:** - $$3a^2 + 5a^2 = 8a^2$$ - $$4b + 3b = 7b$$ - $$a + 2a = 3a$$ 4. **Write the simplified expression:** $$8a^2 + 7b + 3a$$ This is the simplified form of the given expression.