Question

Evaluate the expression. \(12-(-8)-5\)

Short answer

The evaluated expression is 15.

Step-by-step solution

Interpret the expression

First, pay attention to \(12-(-8)-5\). The expression inside the parentheses, \(-8\), means that 8 will be subtracted. However, the minus sign before the parentheses indicates that the result of the expression within the parentheses will be subtracted from 12.

Simplify the expression

Notice that subtracting a negative number is the same as adding the positive version of that number. So, this is the same as \(12 + 8 - 5\). It simplifies to \(20 - 5\).

Final calculation

Simply subtract 5 from 20, which equals 15.