Which variable expression represents the word phrase? five decreased by the sum of a number and three a. 5 – (m – 3) b. (m + 3) – 5 c. 5 – (m + 3) d. 5 – m + 3

C. 5 – (m + 3)

... Five decreased by ⇒ 5 - ___

... the sum of a number and three ⇒ (m+3)

So, the whole word phrase translates to ...

... 5 - (m+3) . . . . . matches selection C.

"the sum of a number and 3" refers to the whole quantity (m+3), which is why we put it in parentheses. In English, the operative phrase is "five decreased by the sum", and the prepositional phrase "of a number and three" describes the content or nature of the sum.