1. **State the problem:** Solve the linear equation $7x - y = -4$ for $y$ in terms of $x$. 2. **Formula and rules:** To solve for $y$, isolate $y$ on one side of the equation by moving other terms to the opposite side. 3. **Isolate $y$:** Starting with the equation: $$7x - y = -4$$ Subtract $7x$ from both sides: $$7x - y - 7x = -4 - 7x$$ Which simplifies to: $$-y = -4 - 7x$$ 4. **Cancel the negative sign:** Multiply both sides by $-1$ to solve for $y$: $$\cancel{-1} \times -y = \cancel{-1} \times (-4 - 7x)$$ $$y = 4 + 7x$$ 5. **Final answer:** $$y = 7x + 4$$ This means for any value of $x$, $y$ can be found by multiplying $x$ by 7 and then adding 4.