1. **State the problem:** Seven less than a number divided by 3 is five. 2. **Define the variable:** Let the number be $x$. 3. **Write the equation:** $\frac{x - 7}{3} = 5$ 4. **Solve the equation:** Multiply both sides by 3 to eliminate the denominator: $$\cancel{3} \times \frac{x - 7}{\cancel{3}} = 5 \times 3$$ which simplifies to $$x - 7 = 15$$ 5. Add 7 to both sides to isolate $x$: $$x - 7 + 7 = 15 + 7$$ $$x = 22$$ 6. **Answer:** The number is $22$.