Take the numbers to one side
It means that value is not counted. it’s there but you don’t include it
It would be 1n - 12 + 8y.
4n - 3n = 1n
12 + 8y don’t mix so we can leave it.
Therefore: 1n - 12 + 8y
The answer is 0, 1/3 of 21 is 7, 7-1=6, 1/2 of 12= 6, and 6-6=0. Hope this helps!