Final answer:
The correct expression for '3 less than 4 times the sum of the number x and 15' is choice C, which is written as 4(x+15)−3 following the order of operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expression that best represents the verbal phrase “3 less than 4 times the sum of the number x and 15” is C. 4(x+15)−3. This can be broken down as follows: first, we find the sum of x and 15, which is represented by the parentheses in (x+15).
Next, we multiply this sum by 4, which is expressed as 4 times the quantity (x+15). Finally, we subtract 3 from the result, leading to the expression –4(x+15)−3”. The order of operations (PEMDAS) is important here: perform the operation inside the parentheses first (addition), then multiplication, and lastly subtraction.