5 less than the product of -3 and a number is -2

Question

I need to now what "a number" is

Answer 1

Let's interpret the sentence.  5 less than means -5.  The product of 3 and a number means 3 times an unknown number we'll call x.  Is 2 means equals 2.  Now let's combine the sentence.  -3x-5=2.  Now we can solve this equation for x.

Answer 2

"a number" is what you must determine. It could be called "n."

-3n, this is "the product of -3 and a number

-3n - 5, this is the "5 less"

= -2, this is "is -2

All together

-3n - 5 = -2