To solve for \( n \) in the equation
\[ -6.5(n - 5) = 18.2, \]
we first divide both sides by \(-6.5\):
\[ n - 5 = \frac{18.2}{-6.5}. \]
Calculating the right side gives:
\[ n - 5 = -2.8. \]
Next, we add \( 5 \) to both sides:
\[ n = -2.8 + 5. \]
Calculating this results in:
\[ n = 2.2. \]
Thus, the value of \( n \) is
\[ \boxed{2.2}. \]