1. The problem asks for the expression representing the difference of 12 and 20% of a number $x$. 2. "Difference of 12 and 20% of $x$" means subtracting 20% of $x$ from 12. 3. Recall that 20% as a decimal is $0.2$. 4. So, 20% of $x$ is $0.2x$. 5. The difference is therefore $12 - 0.2x$. 6. Among the given options, $12 - 0.2x$ correctly represents the difference. 7. The other options either have incorrect signs or incorrect coefficients. Final answer: $$12 - 0.2x$$