So, the numbers to base your solution set on are -2 and 4 (the numbers that the equation equal to 0)
Then, you plug in 3 numbers to the equation: a number less than -2, a number between -2 and 4, and a number greater than 4. They represent the three sections of the number line created by the points -2 and 4. So, our numbers will be -3, 0, and 5:
7<0 is incorrect, so the section of the number line less than -2 does not work.
-8<0 is correct, so the section of the number line between -2 and 4 works.
7<0 is incorrect, so the section of the number line above 4 does not work.
So, only the section between -2 and 4 works. However, the problem is a "less than" problem, not a "less than or equal to" problem, so -2 and 4 are not included in the solution set. That gives you the answer:
(-2, 4) (NOT BRACKETS because -2 and 4 are not included)