Final answer:
To solve for x, we can set up the equation: -8x - 5 = -77 which gives the number as -8.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve this problem, we can let the number be represented by the variable x. The product of the number and -8 is -8x. Five less than that product can be written as -8x - 5. We are given that this expression is equal to -77. To solve for x, we can set up the equation:
-8x - 5 = -77
Next, we can isolate the variable x by adding 5 to both sides:
- 8x = -72
Finally, we can solve for x by dividing both sides of the equation by -8:
x = 9