$\"\"$

The expression is “negative three eights times a number equals 12”.

Let n represent the number.

The word “negative” can be represented as “ $\"\"$ ” symbol

The word “equals” can be represented as “=” symbol.

The word “times” indicates multiplication and the symbol is “ $\"\"$ ”.

$\"\"$

Rewrite the sentence into expression as \ \

$\"\"$

The equation is $\"\"$ $\"\"$

According to multiplication property of equality:

For any number a, b and c, If a = b then ac = bc.

$\"\"$ (Multiply each side by $\"\"$ )

$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms)

$\"\"$ (Multiply: $\"\"$ )

$\"\"$

The number is $\"\"$