i need help with algebra

Question

the product of a number x and four decreased by twelve

which of the following is an expression for the statement above

A) 4x+12

B) 4(x+12)

C) 4(x-12)

D) 4x-12

Answer 1

The answer is D) 4x - 12.

"4x" is a product. And since we are decreasing by 12, we need to subtract by 12. C) is wrong since that 4 outside of the parentheses will multiply the 12 and give 48. B) has the same issue as C), but it's being added by 48 instead. A) is wrong in that it is adding 12 instead of subtracting by 12. Therefore, the answer is D).

Answer 2

If the question is "the product of a number x and four, which is then decreased by 12"

then the answer is 4x-12.