Q:

Which of these is the algebraic expression for the verbal expression "twelve times the difference of a number and four?"  a.12 ⋅ x − 4 b.x − 4 ⋅ 12  c.4(x − 12)  d.12(x − 4)

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer:d. 12(x - 4)Step-by-step explanation:"the difference of a number and four" is represented as (x - 4), and now we have to multiply that expression by 12 to get:12(x - 4). With these expressions that need to be translated into words, oftentimes we are required to start at the end of the expression and work backwards to the beginning.  I read through the sentence and realized that "the difference between a number and four" was my main expression, and then working backwards to the beginning, I see that I am multiplying that main expression by 12.  Keep that in mind.  A lot of times, this is the way to read these.