The numeric like terms are the numbers 2, 12, and 5. The variable like terms are 7 x and 3 x. Combining the numeric like terms, we have 2 + 12 - 5 = 14 - 5 = 9. Combining the variable like terms, we have 7 x - 3 x = 4 x, so the expression 2 + 7 x + 12 - 3 x - 5 simplifies to 9 + 4 x.