When the problem says "a number," it's referring to a variable, commonly x. With this knowledge, we can make an equation out of this:
-3x - 8 > -26
If we add 8 to both sides, much like how fractions work, the statement still works:
-3x - 8 + 8 > -26 + 8
-3x > -18
Now, we divide both sides by -3. Because we are dividing by a negative, the sign flips:
x < 6
Therefore, x < 6.
Hope this helps! :)