Question

Three times the sum of a number and four is equal to five times

the number, decreased by two. If x represents the number, which
equation is a correct translation of the statement?
(1) 3(x + 4) = 5x - 2 (3) 3x + 4 = 5x - 2
(2) 3(x + 4) = 5(x - 2) (4) 3x + 4 = 5(x - 2)

Answer 1

1) correctly translates the statement

Answer 2

First, "the sum of a number and four" is x+4.
Three times (x+4) is 3(x+4). It's also the left side of the equation.

Second, "five times the number" is 5x.
The result will then be "decreased by two", which is 5x-2. It's also the right side of the equation.

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Hope this would help :))