Question

Fill in the blank.

$(-12)-4=\_\_\_$

Answer 1

Let $x$ be the integer in the blank, then

$(-12)-4=x$

To subtract an integer, we add its additive inverse.

$(-12)+(-4)=x$ [ Additive inverse of $4$ is $-4$]

$\Rightarrow x=-16$ [Since , both the integers are negative, then we will add them and put the negative sign with the result]

Hence, $-16$ is the required answer.