1. **State the problem:** We need to express "seven less than the product of twelve and a number" as an algebraic expression. 2. **Identify the unknown:** Let the number be represented by $x$. 3. **Write the product:** The product of twelve and the number is $12x$. 4. **Subtract seven:** Seven less than this product means we subtract 7 from $12x$, giving the expression $12x - 7$. 5. **Final expression:** The algebraic expression is $$12x - 7$$. This expression represents seven less than the product of twelve and a number.