Final answer:
If the temperature starts at 12 degrees and then drops by 20 degrees, the new temperature would be -8 degrees, indicating that it has become very cold.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the initial temperature is 12 degrees and it drops by 20 degrees, you would calculate the new temperature by subtracting the drop in temperature from the initial state. Therefore:
Initial temperature = 12 degrees.
Temperature drop = 20 degrees.
New temperature = Initial temperature - Temperature drop.
Plugging in the numbers:
New temperature = 12 degrees - 20 degrees
New temperature = -8 degrees.
Thus, the temperature would be cold at -8 degrees after the drop.