Question

Which of these is the algebraic expression for the verbal expression "twelve times the difference of a number and four?"

12 ⋅ x − 4
x − 4 ⋅ 12
4(x − 12)
12(x − 4)

Answer 1

`12(x - 4)`

Explanation:

The question says, "twelve times the difference of a number and four"

Let's start with the first number, which is twelve = 12. Moving on, we have times = ×, then the difference which is minus(-). A number is unknown, any aphabet can be used to represent the number, so, we represent with 'x', and then four = 4.

Arranging them, we have:

`12 * x - 4`

in algebraic equations, times is always represented by bracket. Therefore, our final answer is:

`12(x - 4)`

I hope this helps.