Final answer:
The inequality that best represents the statement "12 more than a number X is less than three times the number" is X + 12 < 3X.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inequality that best represents the statement "12 more than a number X is less than three times the number" is option B. X + 12 < 3X.
To understand why, let's break down the statement. "12 more than a number X" can be represented as X + 12. "Is less than three times the number" can be represented as < 3X. Combining these two expressions, we get X + 12 < 3X, which matches option B.
For example, if X is 5, then 12 more than X is 17 (5 + 12), and three times the number is 15 (3 * 5). Since 17 is less than 15, the inequality X + 12 < 3X holds true.