ASVAB Arithmetic Reasoning Practice Test 2026 - Free ASVAB Practice Questions and Study Guide

To understand why the expression for "12 less the sum of 3 and some number" is accurately represented by the second option, it's important to break down the phrase step by step.

Firstly, "the sum of 3 and some number" can be represented mathematically as \(3 + x\), where \(x\) is the variable representing the unknown number.

Next, the phrase "12 less" indicates that we are subtracting something from 12. In this context, we are subtracting the sum we defined earlier, which is \(3 + x\). Therefore, we are finding \(12 - (3 + x)\).

This gives us the expression that accurately captures the meaning of the initial phrase. By using subtraction, we correctly reflect that we are taking away the total quantity \(3 + x\) from 12, which aligns precisely with what was asked in the question.

Thus, the expression \(12 - (3 + x)\) effectively represents "12 less the sum of 3 and some number," confirming that the answer is indeed correct.