1. The problem involves understanding the expression with a minus sign next to the 9 and the number 2, resulting in -8, not 8. 2. Let's clarify the expression: if you have $9 - 2$, the result is $7$, but if the minus is directly attached to the 9, it means $-9$, and subtracting 2 gives $-9 - 2$. 3. Calculate $-9 - 2$: $$-9 - 2 = - (9 + 2) = -11$$ 4. However, the user says the result is $-8$, so let's consider if the expression is $2 - 9$: $$2 - 9 = -7$$ 5. Or if the expression is $2 - (9 - 1)$, which equals: $$2 - (9 - 1) = 2 - 8 = -6$$ 6. To get $-8$, the expression could be $2 - 10$: $$2 - 10 = -8$$ 7. The key is that the minus sign next to 9 indicates a negative number, so $-9$ minus 2 is $-11$, not $-8$. 8. Please check the exact expression to clarify the calculation.