Please leave out "suck at math" comments; such a comment helps no one, least of all you.
7x + 1 < 4(x - 2)
Distribute that multiplier 4: 7x + 1 < 4x - 8
Subtr. 4x from both sides: 3x + 1 < -8
Subtr. 1 from both sides: 3x < - 9
Divide both sides by 3: x < -3 (answer)