Answer:
4y - 7
Explanation:
Like terms are terms that have the same variable part. Variable part means the part of a term that is one or more variables and the exponents of the variables.
For example, in 2x^2 + 4xy + 5x^2 + 2y + 5 - 3y, the terms 2x^2 and 5x^2 have x^2 as their variable part. They are like terms. Likewise, 2y and -3y have y as their variable part. They are like terms. 2x^2 and 5x^2 can be combined into 7x^2. 2y and -3y can be combined into -y. The terms 4xy and 5 are not like terms and cannot be combined. By combining like terms in 2x^2 + 4xy + 5x^2 + 2y + 5 - 3y, you end up with 7x^2 + 4xy - y + 5.
Now we deal with your problem.
-4y - 4 + (-3)
The term -4y has a y as a variable. There is no other term with a y in it, so the term -4y cannot be combined.
The terms -4 and -3 have no variables. These two terms are like terms and can be combined.
-4y - 4 + (-3) =
-4y - 7