General Word problems

Question

Twelve little black cats sat meowing on the gate. All buy four jumped off and ran away because they were late. How many left on the gate?

Answer 1

12- (12-4) = 12-8 = 4 cats left

maybe you're tempted to say 12-4=8 left. maybe it's supposed to be a trick question. They tell you 4 are left then ask how many are left