Let's add the two expressions step-by-step.
Given:
[tex]\[ (-6x - 8) + (-2x + 7) \][/tex]
1. Combine like terms involving [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ (-6x) + (-2x) \][/tex]
Add the coefficients of [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ -6x - 2x = -8x \][/tex]
2. Combine the constant terms:
[tex]\[ (-8) + 7 \][/tex]
Subtract the constants:
[tex]\[ -8 + 7 = -1 \][/tex]
3. Combine the results:
[tex]\[ -8x - 1 \][/tex]
So, the simplified expression is:
[tex]\[ -8x - 1 \][/tex]
