Answer:
x = sqrt(11 - y) - 2 or x = -sqrt(11 - y) - 2
Explanation:
Solve for x: 
y = -x^2 - 4 x + 7 
 
y = -x^2 - 4 x + 7 is equivalent to -x^2 - 4 x + 7 = y: 
-x^2 - 4 x + 7 = y 
 
Multiply both sides by -1: 
x^2 + 4 x - 7 = -y 
 
Add 7 to both sides: 
x^2 + 4 x = 7 - y 
 
Add 4 to both sides: 
x^2 + 4 x + 4 = 11 - y 
 
Write the left hand side as a square: 
(x + 2)^2 = 11 - y 
 
Take the square root of both sides: 
x + 2 = sqrt(11 - y) or x + 2 = -sqrt(11 - y) 
 
Subtract 2 from both sides: 
x = sqrt(11 - y) - 2 or x + 2 = -sqrt(11 - y) 
 
Subtract 2 from both sides: 
Answer: x = sqrt(11 - y) - 2 or x = -sqrt(11 - y) - 2