Help me simplify the expression

I'd appreciate the steps on how to do this rather than the answer just so I can understand how to get it.

12y-8
----------
-4

I made it to 12y - 8 x -1/4 but I'm unsure what to do afterwards.

Is this (12y - 8)/(-4)?

If so, then the above

12y - 8 x - 1/4

Is incorrect. You are dividing the quantity 12y - 8 by -4. This means that in order to simplify the function, you must be able to divide evenly EACH term in the numerator expression by the entire denominator expression. Basically, both 12y AND -8 must be divided by -4, and then the results summed in series.

Here's one way to demonstrate this rule: Adding fractions.

Recall that to add two or more fractions together, they must have the same denominator. So you could add 2/5 and 1/5 to get 3/5. Now then, if you go backwards, and you can also say that 3/5 will split into 2/5 + 1/5. It's the same with subtraction.

Since (12y - 8)/(-4) is just a fancy fraction, we can split it up the same way:

(12y - 8)/(-4) = (12y/-4) + (-8/-4)

See how we can split one fraction into two with the same denominator? Now it is clear what to do; that is, we must divide simplify each division:

(12y/-4) + (-8/-4) = -3y + 2

I hope this helps you understand.

12y/-4 = -3y
-8/-4 = 2

-3y+2 (this is your answer)