Answer: Last Option
![(16 + 12) + (- 5-11)](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/ygc2j4ayaa4d2xt4x1g4nh8h9k1yu1r4hz.png)
Explanation:
The associative property states that no matter the order in which you add the number groups, the result will always be the same.
The original expression is as follows:
![(16 - 5) + (12 - 11) = 12](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/pl0qamit68o602vpdjiqxctwrqaie644md.png)
Now if we apply the associative property we can rewrite the expression as shown:
![(16 + 12) + (- 5 + (- 11))](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/tr9ktyojgs5xl64wlu9u4xpzsre2vcsat9.png)
Now notice that the result remains the same:
![(16 + 12) + (- 5-11) = 12](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/5hkxoqdjgd94dyvvheasnrj8wwg6ck4sa4.png)
Therefore the correct answer is the last option