Answer:
welcome:>
Step-by-step explanation:
Four times a number decreased by twelve. "x" is my favorite variable so I will use it. I would interpret this to be 4(x-12).
4(x-12) is literally 4 times (a number "x" decreased by "-" 12).
If x were 22 then it would be 4(x-12) = 4(22-12) = 4(10) = 40
BUT some may read it as 4x-12 which would be 4(22)-12 = 88-12 = 76
So the reading of these two equations[4(x-12) and 4x-12] are very similar if not the same although they produce very different values for each number "x".
This highlights the importance of the order of operations (PEDMAS), interpretation, and clarity if ever asked to put an equation into words.
