1. **State the problem:** Calculate the sum of 7 and 1. 2. **Formula used:** Addition of two numbers is given by $a + b$. 3. **Apply the formula:** Here, $a = 7$ and $b = 1$, so we calculate $7 + 1$. 4. **Perform the addition:** $7 + 1 = 8$. 5. **Conclusion:** The sum of 7 and 1 is 8.