The first step in simplifying this expression is to identify which, if any, terms can be combined. Remember, only like terms — constant terms or terms with the same variable — can be combined.
( -3x - 7)+( 4x+ 7)
In this case, we have two x-terms and two constants. Let's arrange the like terms in columns. Then, let's perform the addition.
& -3 x - 7
&+ 4 x + 7
& x + 0
Therefore, we get the following result.
(-3x-7)+(4x+7) = x + 0 ⇓ (-3x-7)+(4x+7) = x
