Question

What is an expression for, "The sum of four and the product of three and a number `x`"?

it is very confusing

Answer 1

`4 + 3x`

Explanation:

Now we are dealing with an unknown figure, `x`

The statement goes;

The sum of `4` and the product of `3` and a number `x`

The word sum is represented by addition

The word product is represented by multiplication

Hence;

`4 + 3 xx x`

`4 + 3x -> "Statement"`

Answer 2

`4+3x`

Explanation:

The word "SUM" indicates the answer when two or more numbers are ADDED.

The word "PRODUCT" indicates the answer when two or more numbers multiplied.

The key word is the word "AND".
This tells you about which numbers you need to use.

The sum of four and "something"? means: `" "4 + .... .`

The product of three and a number `x` means: `3 xx x = 3x`

Now we know what is being added together:

"(The sum of 4) AND `color(red)(("the product of 3 AND a number " x)`"

`= " "4color(white)(xxxxx)+color(white)(xxxxxxx)color(red)(3x)`

`=" "4+3x`

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Compare this with an expression like:

The product of the sum of 4 and 3 and a number `x`

This would be done as:

The PRODUCT of `color(blue)(("the SUM of four AND three")` AND a number `x`

`color(blue)((4+3)) xx x`

(The product of `color(blue)("something") and "a number "x`)