Answer:
x = -3
Explanation:
First you need to distribute the 7 to (x + 4):
7x + 28 = 8x + 31
Then subtract 7x from both sides, making it cancel out on the left since 7x - 7x cancel each other out.
7x + 28 = 8x + 31
-7x -7x
_____________
28 = x + 31
Then subtract 31 from both sides, making it cancel out on the right side:
28 = x + 31
-31 - 31
_________
-3 = x