Okay, let's tackle this math problem. We're starting with 9988 and subtracting 9008.

Step 1: We'll start by subtracting the digit 8 and the borrow 0 from 8 in column 1 and get 0.
0 is the first digit of our result.

Step 2: We'll start by subtracting the digit 0 and the borrow 0 from 8 in column 2 and get 8.
8 is the next digit of our result.

Step 3: We'll start by subtracting the digit 0 and the borrow 0 from 9 in column 3 and get 9.
9 is the next digit of our result.

Step 4: We'll start by subtracting the digit 9 and the borrow 0 from 9 in column 4 and get 0.
0 is the next digit of our result.

So, 9988 - 9008 = 980.