Which situations could represent the inequality

To analyze which situations represent the inequality \( x - 4 < 20 \), we first simplify the inequality:

\[
x - 4 < 20 \implies x < 24
\]

Thus, \( x \) must be a positive integer less than 24.

Now, let's evaluate each situation provided:

1. **Leighton has 20 pieces of candy in her pocket, 4 of which were given to her by Alan.**
- This means she has \( 20 - 4 = 16 \) pieces of candy remaining.
- Here, \( x = 16 \), which satisfies \( x < 24 \).
- This situation **represents** the inequality.

2. **AJ has fewer than 20 trading cards in his collection after giving 4 of them to his friend Jaden.**
- Let's say AJ originally had \( x \) cards. After giving away 4, he has \( x - 4 < 20 \).
- However, this can be rearranged to \( x < 24 \), which satisfies the condition.
- Therefore, this situation **represents** the inequality.

3. **Candace has less than 20 dollars in her wallet after she spent $4 on a bag of chips and a soda.**
- If we let \( x \) represent the amount of money Candace originally had, then after spending $4, she has \( x - 4 < 20 \).
- Rearranging gives \( x < 24 \), which indicates that this situation also **represents** the inequality.

4. **Sarah must make at least 20 cupcakes for her school bake sale, but she dropped 4 of them on the floor.**
- If we let \( x \) represent the number of cupcakes she made, she had \( x - 4 \) left after dropping them.
- The statement suggests she still needs to have \( x - 4 \geq 16 \); however, it gives no information that directly corresponds with \( x < 24\).
- Rather, it states she needs to make at least 20 cupcakes initially, implying \( x \geq 20 \).
- Therefore, this situation does **not represent** the inequality.

**Final Selections:**
- Situations 1, 2, and 3 represent the inequality \( x - 4 < 20 \).