Final answer:
The correct expression for 'four less than the product of one and a number x' is 'x - 4,' which none of the given options correctly represent. There may be a typo in the provided options since the order of terms in subtraction is crucial, and '4 - x' does not equal 'x - 4.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question seeks to translate a verbal description into a mathematical expression. The description is 'four less than the product of one and a number x.' The product of one and a number x is simply '1 times x,' which is 'x' since anything multiplied by one remains unchanged. To express 'four less than' this product, we subtract 4 from '1 times x.' Therefore, the correct mathematical expression for this description is 'x - 4.' This is not one of the provided options verbatim, but it corresponds to the first option '4 - x' if we consider that subtraction is not commutative, meaning the order matters. Thus, if the correct expression is 'x - 4,' the provided option '4 - x' cannot be correct, indicating a possible typo in the options.