Step 1: Understand the Problem

The problem says “Twelve subtracted from ten times a number is -212.” We need to find the number.

Step 2: Set Up the Equation

Let’s call the unknown number x. According to the problem, ten times this number minus twelve equals -212. So, we write the equation as:

10x – 12 = -212

Step 3: Isolate the Variable Term

We want to get x by itself on one side of the equation. To do this, we’ll first get rid of the -12 by adding 12 to both sides:

10x = -200

Step 4: Solve for x

Now, we just have to get x by itself. We do this by dividing both sides by 10:

x = -20

Step 5: Check the Answer

It’s always good to double-check. Plug x = -20 back into the original equation 10x – 12 = -212 to make sure it works. And it does!

Step 6: Final Answer

The number we’re looking for is -20.