`-12 - (-5) = ? `

Options

A. `-17`
B. `-7`
C. `7
D. none of these

Answer

To solve the expression \(-12 - (-5)\), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the expression
The expression we need to solve is:
\[ -12 - (-5) \]

### Step 2: Simplify the double negative
When we subtract a negative number, it is the same as adding the positive of that number. Therefore, we can rewrite the expression:
\[ -12 - (-5) = -12 + 5 \]

### Step 3: Perform the addition
Now, we need to add \(-12\) and \(5\):
\[ -12 + 5 \]

### Step 4: Determine the result
To perform this operation, we can think of it as moving 5 units up from \(-12\) on the number line. Since \(-12\) is further left than \(5\) is right, we can calculate:
\[ -12 + 5 = -7 \]

### Final Answer
Thus, the result of the expression \(-12 - (-5)\) is:
\[ \boxed{-7} \]