is 9x to the power of 2 and 5x like terms ?
9x^2 and 5x are not like terms because 9x is being squared and 5x isn't.
9x and 5x would be like terms because they share the same variable, however because the 9x is raised to the second power, 9x^2 and 5x cannot be like terms. The short answer to your question is that no, 9x^2 and 5x are not like terms.
