To find the expression that represents \( L(x) - M(x) \), we need to evaluate \( L(x) \) and \( M(x) \) first and then subtract them.
Given:
\[ M(x) = 4x^2 - 8x + 17 \] \[ L(x) = 5 - 2x^2 \]
Now, we will calculate \( L(x) - M(x) \):
\[ L(x) - M(x) = (5 - 2x^2) - (4x^2 - 8x + 17) \]
Distributing the negative sign:
\[ L(x) - M(x) = 5 - 2x^2 - 4x^2 + 8x - 17 \]
Now, combine like terms:
\[ L(x) - M(x) = 5 - 17 + 8x - 2x^2 - 4x^2 \] \[ L(x) - M(x) = -12 + 8x - 6x^2 \]
Rearranging it, we get:
\[ L(x) - M(x) = -6x^2 + 8x - 12 \]
Thus, the correct expression representing \( L(x) - M(x) \) is:
\[ \boxed{-6x^2 + 8x - 12} \]