Question

The sum of -8 and the product of 4 and 3 written as an expression

Answer 1

-8 +(3x4)

This is exactly the order of the sentence

If you write

(3X4)-8  the result is the same in both cases (-1)

But in the second case the sentence would say:

The product of 3 and 4 ,reduced by 8

Answer 2

(4 x 3) - 8 is your answer. 

Product of 4 and 3 translates to 4 x 3

Sum of said product and - 8 translates to 4 x 3 - 8

Because of PEMDAS, we must multiply first. So in order to make sure your expression says this, you must use parentheses.