12 less than the quotient of a number and 7 is negative 2 find the number

Work backwards. 
what minus 12 = - 2? --> 10. 
7 and 10 will give you product of 70. 

Now double check. 
70 divided by 7 equals 10. 
and 12 less than 10 (or 10-12) equals negative two. 

70 is your answer

First subtract 10 from both side
y^2+6y-16=0
(y+8)(y-2)=0
-8 and 2