To subtract mixed numbers like -12 2/3 and -8 5/6, you can follow these steps:
1. First, subtract the whole numbers: -12 - (-8) = -12 + 8 = -4.
2. Next, subtract the fractions: 2/3 - 5/6. To do this, you need to find a common denominator, which is 6 in this case.
Convert 2/3 to an equivalent fraction with a denominator of 6: (2/3) * (2/2) = 4/6.
Now, you can subtract the fractions: 4/6 - 5/6 = -1/6.
So, -12 2/3 - (-8 5/6) = -4 - 1/6.
Now, let's express -4 - 1/6 as a mixed number:
-4 - 1/6 = -4 1/6.
So, -12 2/3 - (-8 5/6) is equal to -4 1/6 as a mixed number.