Use Vieta's formula for x² + px + q = 0. For this form, the sum of the roots is -p and the product of the roots is q. The given roots are -2 and 7, so their sum is -2 + 7 = 5. Since sum = -p, we have -p = 5, which gives p = -5. The product -2×7 = -14 also matches the constant term, so the roots are consistent. Therefore the correct answer is -5.