The difference between eight times a number and three is equal to negative 19 .what is the number?

The answer is -2.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to solve the problem, you need to first set up an equation, with a variable, and solve using inverse operations.  Using context clues from the problem, we know that 'difference' is subtraction, 'times' is multiplication and 'equal' is the equal sign, or total.  So, using the numbers and clues, I can set up the following equation:  8x - 3 = -19.  To solve for 'x' I need to first add 3 to both sides of the equation to get 8x = -16.  Next, I need to divide both sides of the equation by 8 to get x = -2.  Therefor, your final answer is -2.  You can double-check by putting this number into the equation and solving:  8x(-2)  - 3 = 16, or -16 - 3= -19, -19 = -19.