Well you can try to think of the question like this: 
? -(-7) = 5 
If they are 2 negative signs beside each other like in this question, it becomes positive. 
? - (-7) = 5 
? --7 = 5 
? + 7 = 5
Then solve for the ?. By rearranging the equation to get ? On one side of the equation. 
? + 7 = 5 
? + 7 -7 = 5-7 
? = 5-7 
? = -2.