The correct answer is 5. It’s given that f (x )= -ax + b. Substituting -ax + b for f (x) in the equation y = f (x)-15 yields y = -ax + b -15. It’s given that the y-intercept of the graph of y = f (x)-15 is (0, - 997). Substituting 0 for x and -997for y in the equation y = -ax + b -15 yields - 997= -a0 + b -15, which is equivalent to -997 =-1+ b -15, or - 997 = b -16. Adding 16 to both sides of this equation yields 137= b. It’s given that the product of a and b is 657, or ab = 657. Substituting 137 for b in this equation yields (a)(137)=657. Dividing both sides of this equation by 137yields a = 5.