Combine like terms -qp - 4p=

below

Step-by-step explanation:

[ -qp - 4p ] cannot be simplifed any further than it is. There are no like terms withing the equation making it unable to simplify.

Best of Luck!

Let Ted be x.

Ed is 7 years older =  x  + 7

Ed = (3/4)Ted

(x + 7) = (3/4)x

x + 7 = 3x/4

x - 3x/4 = -7

x/4 = -7

x = -28,           Ted = -28 years

(x + 7) = -28 + 7 = -21,      Ed = -21 years.

Goodness. We had negative numbers for the ages, well does that make sense?  No it doesn't.

Our answer is correct. But the sense in the question is lacking. The question has been wrongly set.

We might assume negative ages to mean before they came into the world, before birth!