Final answer:
The correct word phrase for the algebraic expression 3X - 7 is 'The difference of three times a number X and seven', which describes first multiplying a number by three and then subtracting seven from the product.
Step-by-step explanation:
To write a word phrase for the algebraic expression 3X - 7, we need to describe the operation and the order in which it occurs. When translating from algebra to English, we keep the order of operations in mind. The expression 3X means 'three times a number X', and the '-' symbol represents subtraction. So, we combine these parts to create the phrase.
The correct option is a. The difference of three times a number X and seven. This is because we first multiply a number, X, by three and then we subtract seven from the result. Option b suggests that we subtract first, which does not represent the expression 3X - 7. Option c incorrectly refers to a number 'c' and option d talks about division (quotient) when the expression involves subtraction (difference).