Let's assume the number we're trying to find is represented by the variable "x."
According to the given information, if you add 4 times the number to 12, the result is -8. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:
4x + 12 = -8
To solve for x, we can isolate the variable by performing algebraic operations:
4x = -8 - 12
4x = -20
Next, we can solve for x by dividing both sides of the equation by 4:
x = -20 / 4
x = -5
Therefore, the number we're looking for is -5.
