Answer
$y-12$
Work Step by Step
The term "minus" represents the subtraction operation. Subtraction of $a$ from $b$ is represented as $b-a$. It indicates the distance of $b$ on number line from zero is decreased by distance of $a$ on number line.
Therefore, the word $y$ minus $12$ infers that distance of $12$ on number line is decreased from distance of $y$ on number line. It is expressed in algebraic form as $y-12$.
