The equation "3 + 4 = 7" represents a basic arithmetic operation known as addition. In this equation, the numbers 3 and 4 are called addends, and they are combined to produce a sum, which is 7. This operation is fundamental in mathematics and is often one of the first concepts taught to children. Addition is used in various everyday situations, such as counting objects or calculating totals. For example, if you have 3 apples and receive 4 more, you can find out how many apples you have in total by adding the two numbers together, resulting in 7 apples.