1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $4 - 7$. 2. **Recall the rule:** Subtracting a larger number from a smaller number results in a negative number. 3. **Perform the subtraction:** $$4 - 7 = -3$$ 4. **Interpretation:** The result is negative three because 7 is greater than 4. **Final answer:** $-3$