1. The problem asks us to combine like terms in the expression $2a + 6 + 1$ to create an equivalent expression. 2. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. Constants (numbers without variables) are also like terms with each other. 3. In the expression $2a + 6 + 1$, $2a$ is a term with the variable $a$, and $6$ and $1$ are constants. 4. We cannot combine $2a$ with the constants because they are not like terms. 5. We can combine the constants $6$ and $1$ by adding them: $$6 + 1 = 7$$ 6. So, the equivalent expression after combining like terms is: $$2a + 7$$ Therefore, the answer is $2a + 7$.