Remark
Reading the problem is more than 1/2 the trouble you will have with this question.
Start phrase by phrase. Let the number = x
The first phrase is 8 times a number so that is 8x
increased by 9. So that is 8x + 9
exceeds 7 times the number 8x + 9 - 7x
by 15 (translate that to equals 15)
Equation
8x + 9 - 7x = 15 Combine like terms.
x + 9 = 15 Subtract 9
x = 15 - 9
x = 6