Question

Eight less than the product of 7 and a number is 3. Use the variable w for the unknown number

Answer 1

W = unknown number
7w - 8 = 3    (product of 7 and a number, w, subtract 8) is 3
7w = 11
w = 11/7

Answer 2

You could represent this using an algebraic equation such as
(7 x W)-8=3    then we could isolate w by adding 8 to both sides and then dividing by 7, which simplifies to W=11/7 or W= 1 4/7