1 and 0 are special numbers.  

When you multiply by 1, you don't change what
you're multiplying it by.

When you add 0, you don't change what
you're adding it to.

When you multiply by 0, you do change what
you're multiplying it by.

When you add 1, you do change what
you're adding it to.

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2w+1t and 2w+t are equivalent because MULTIPLYING by 1 does NOT change the value
of t.

HOWEVER,

3x+1 and 3x are NOT equivalent because ADDING 1 DOES change the value of 3x.

Edwin