Final answer:
To solve (-a) * b = -12, we consider that if a product is negative, one factor must be negative, and the other must be positive. The value of b could technically be -6 or -12, depending on the value of a. However, without further information on a, we cannot determine the exact value of b.
Step-by-step explanation:
If (-a) * b = -12, we need to determine the possible value of b. This equation signifies that a negative number (-a) is being multiplied by b to produce the negative product -12. According to the multiplication rules for signs, if a product of two numbers is negative, the two numbers must have opposite signs. Thus, if a is positive, then b would be negative to satisfy the equation, and vice versa.
Given the options for b:
a) 6
b) -6
c) -12
d) 12
Since we do not have the value of a, we can't determine the exact value of b, but we know that b can be any real number that, when multiplied by the corresponding a, gives -12. So, any of the negative options could technically satisfy the equation depending on a's value.