Answer:
There is an important piece of information missing. The number of ounces in one container can not be determined explicitly.
If only there was an information like: The exact number of ounces students consume, or the exact number of ounces in all the containers, then it would be clear.
The best that could be said is that there are 4y ounces of pasta left.
Step-by-step explanation:
Larry bought 12 containers of pasta for school.
Let 1 container of pasta be x, the Larry bought 12x.
Each container held the same number of ounces.
Assuming 1 container held y ounces, then there are 12y ounces for the whole containers.
Students finish the pasta salad in 8 out of the containers.
That is, students finish 8y ounces of pasta.
There are (12y - 8y) ounces of pasta left.
