12/4 = <<12/4=3>>3 slices of cake were eaten by Lovely's visitors.

So, 12 - 3 = <<12-3=9>>9 slices of cake were kept.

# Answer

9
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Lovely cuts her birthday cake into 12 equal pieces. Only one-fourth of the cake was eaten by her visitors and the rest were kept. How many slices of cake were kept?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
9
Lovely cuts her birthday cake into 12 equal pieces. Only one-fourth of the cake was eaten by her visitors and the rest were kept. How many slices of cake were kept?
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