Question

Which algebraic expression could NOT represent the phrase below?

Four more than the product 3 times the number of x.
a. 4+x
b. (4+3)x
c. 3*c+4
d. (3*c) + 4

Answer 1

Option (a) 4 + x cannot represent the phrase because it implies adding 4 to x without the multiplication by 3. Options (c) 3x + 4 and (d) (3x) + 4 correctly show the multiplication first, followed by the addition, thus satisfying the phrase.

Step-by-step explanation:

The algebraic expression that could NOT represent the phrase 'Four more than the product 3 times the number of x' is option (a) which is 4 + x. The correct expression should involve a product of 3 and x before adding 4. This is because the phrase indicates that x should first be multiplied by 3, and then 4 should be added to the result of that multiplication.

Option (b) is (4+3)x which is not correct because it suggests adding 4 and 3 together before multiplying by x, which does not align with the original phrase. However, option (c) which is 3x + 4, and option (d) which is (3x) + 4 both correctly represent the phrase as they show multiplication of 3 and x first, followed by the addition of 4.