Question

The sum of five times a number and -6 is -2

Answer 1

Let' call the number 'M' for 'mystery number'.

The number . . . . . M

Five times the number . . . 5 M

The sum of 5 times the number and -6 . . . 5 M - 6

You said that's -2 . So I can write

5 M - 6 = -2

Add 6 to each side: 5 M = 4

Divide each side by 5 : M = 4/5 or 0.8 .

Answer 2

5n + (-6) = -2
add 6 to -2
5n = -2 + 6
5n = 4
divide both sides by 5
n = 4/5