Let $a,$ $b,$ and $c$ be the roots of $x^3 + 7x^2 - 11x - 2 = 0.$  Find $a + b + c.$
To find $a + b + c,$ I need to use the relationship between the roots of a cubic equation and its coefficients. I recall that for any cubic equation of the form $x^3 + px^2 + qx + r = 0,$ the sum of the roots is equal to $-p.$ In this case, $p = 7,$ so $a + b + c = -7.$

