2007-05-02 05:26:43 · 7 answers · asked by reuben h 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Let x be the number. You can have two scenarios.
12 - x = 8. Hence x = 4
x -12 = 8, Hence x = 20
2007-05-02 05:29:58 · answer #1 · answered by dudara 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the number is larger than 12,
x - 12 = 8
x = 20
If the number is smaller than 12,
12 - x = 8
-x = -4
x = 4
Unless there are other reasons not given, "difference between 12 and a number" should translate as 12 - x, matching sentence order.
2007-05-02 12:32:19 · answer #2 · answered by Philo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the difference is what you get after you subtract: so 12-x=8, solve for x?
12 - x - 8 = 0
4 - x = 0
4 = x
or, x - 12 = 8,
x = 8 + 12
x = 20 (but the question would be worded "the difference between a number and 12 is 8")
2007-05-02 12:33:48 · answer #3 · answered by Megs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let the number be x
so, 12-x = 8
solve for x and you get -x = 8-12
-x = -4
x= 4
2007-05-02 12:33:43 · answer #4 · answered by the DoEr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since it is difference, take 12 plus and minus eight so the two answers are:
4 and 20
2007-05-02 12:31:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's 4..
b'coz 12-4=8
2007-05-02 12:36:41 · answer #6 · answered by sudhakar A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
12-x=8
-x=-4
x=4
x-12=8
x=20
2007-05-02 12:31:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋