Which expression represents '4 less than 3x'?

Which expression represents '4 less than 3x'?

• A. 3x − 4
• B. 4 − 3x
• C. 3x + 4
• D. 4x − 3

Answer: (A)

Translating phrases into algebra: when something is “A less than B,” you start with B and subtract A. So “4 less than 3x” means you take 3x and subtract 4, giving the expression 3x − 4. For example, if x = 2, 3x is 6, and 6 − 4 = 2, which matches the idea of being 4 less than 3x. The other forms would either subtract the wrong amount from the wrong quantity, add instead of subtract, or involve a different operation entirely (for instance, 4 − 3x would subtract 3x from 4, 3x + 4 would add 4, and 4x − 3 would multiply x by 4 and then subtract 3).

Translating phrases into algebra: when something is “A less than B,” you start with B and subtract A. So “4 less than 3x” means you take 3x and subtract 4, giving the expression 3x − 4. For example, if x = 2, 3x is 6, and 6 − 4 = 2, which matches the idea of being 4 less than 3x. The other forms would either subtract the wrong amount from the wrong quantity, add instead of subtract, or involve a different operation entirely (for instance, 4 − 3x would subtract 3x from 4, 3x + 4 would add 4, and 4x − 3 would multiply x by 4 and then subtract 3).