Grade 7 · Math

7th grade Add and subtract expressions with letters worksheet

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Add and subtract expressions with letters

Grade 7 Math Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.

Noah earns a star for every neat puzzle. How would Noah write (-2x + 5) + (3x − 1) with as few terms as possible?
Ren unwraps a gift with a puzzle card inside. How would Ren write (6x + 3) − (2x − 4) with as few terms as possible?
It rains, so Ari does the puzzle under an umbrella. How would Ari write (4x − 1) − (-2x + 6) with as few terms as possible?
4.
Kira reads a puzzle by flashlight in a tent. Which expression is equal to (5x + 4) − (2x − 3)?
- 7x + 1
- 10x
- 3x + 1
- 3x + 7
5.
Luz solves a puzzle on the bus, bumps and all. Which expression is equal to (7x − 2) − (3x + 5)?
- 4x + 3
- -3x
- 10x + 3
- 4x − 7
6.
Milo finds a puzzle on top of the piano. Which expression is equal to (-3x + 6) − (x − 2)?
- -2x + 4
- -4x + 4
- 4x
- -4x + 8
Each star scores x points; each puddle costs 1 point. Round 1: 6 stars, 2 puddles. Round 2: 3 stars, 4 puddles. What is Pia's total, with as few terms as possible?
Each star scores x points; each puddle costs 1 point. Round 1: 4 stars, 5 puddles. Round 2: 2 stars, 3 puddles. What is Ren's total, with as few terms as possible?
A yarn is 9x − 2 cm long. Tala cuts off 4x − 5 cm for a bracelet. How long is the yarn left, with as few terms as possible?
A yarn is 7x + 6 cm long. Zee cuts off 3x − 4 cm for a bracelet. How long is the yarn left, with as few terms as possible?

7th grade Add and subtract expressions with letters worksheet – printable — Print: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Add and subtract expressions with letters. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

I can add two expressions like (3x + 4) + (2x + 7) by joining the x pieces and joining the plain pieces.
I can subtract an expression like (6x + 3) − (2x − 4) by taking away every piece, and I know taking away a negative piece puts that amount back.
I can do it with negatives, decimals and fractions, and with three expressions in a row.

Standard: 7.EE.A.1

Words to know

expression: Numbers, letters and operations with no equal sign, like 3x + 4.

term (piece): One part of an expression that is added or taken away, like 3x or 4.

like terms: Terms with the same letter part, like 2x and 5x. Plain numbers are like terms with each other.

coefficient: The number multiplying the letter. In 3x + 4 it is 3.

constant: A plain number with no letter, like the 4 in 3x + 4.

combine: Join like terms into one term, like 2x + 3x = 5x.

Common mistakes

Your child added the plain numbers into the x pieces, so numbers with no letter became extra x's.

Your child took away the x pieces of the second expression but added its plain number instead of taking it away.

Your child joined the right kinds of pieces but dropped a minus sign, so a negative piece counted as positive. Try circling every minus sign before adding.

What to say

Ask: can a plain piece and an x piece go into one pile?

Ask: when a whole expression is taken away, what happens to every piece in it?

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with add and subtract expressions with letters?

Your child added the plain numbers into the x pieces, so numbers with no letter became extra x's.

How can I help my child with add and subtract expressions with letters?

Ask: can a plain piece and an x piece go into one pile?

Are these 7th grade math worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

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