1. **State the problem:** Combine the like terms in the expression $$5 + 9t + 3$$. 2. **Identify like terms:** Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. Here, $$5$$ and $$3$$ are constants (no variable), and $$9t$$ is a term with variable $$t$$. 3. **Combine constants:** Add the constants $$5$$ and $$3$$. $$5 + 3 = 8$$ 4. **Write the simplified expression:** The term $$9t$$ remains as is because there are no other $$t$$ terms to combine. So, the simplified expression is: $$8 + 9t$$ This is the equivalent expression after combining like terms.