Question: User: -7 + 3 =
1. **State the problem:** Calculate the sum of $-7$ and $3$.
2. **Recall the rule for adding integers:** When adding a negative and a positive number, subtract the smaller absolute value from the larger absolute value and take the sign of the number with the larger absolute value.
3. **Apply the rule:**
$$|-7| = 7, \quad |3| = 3$$
Since $7 > 3$, subtract $3$ from $7$:
$$7 - 3 = 4$$
The sign is negative because $-7$ has the larger absolute value.
4. **Write the final answer:**
$$-7 + 3 = -4$$