Grade 7 · Math

7th grade Solve equations with a bracket like 3(x + 4) = 21 worksheet

6 printable versionsBuilding Confidence10 questions · answer keyFree · no account

Level: Building Confidence · On Level · Challenge Me

When it’s done, scan the sheet with your phone and PencilGo marks it and picks the next one. Create a free account

Version

Solve equations with a bracket like 3(x + 4) = 21

Grade 7 Math Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

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

Esme sketches the bars for 4(x − 4) = 8 on lined paper. What is x?
Jun draws the bars for 4(x − 2) = 12 in pen, very boldly. What is x?
The math club warm-up is 2(x + 5) = -4, and Luz wants to finish first. What is x?
Noah's quiz starts with 6(x − 2) = 18. What is x?
Ren gets 2(x − 4) = -2 as the bonus question. What is x?
6.
Tala tests four guesses for 4(x + 4) = 24. Which value of x makes it true?
- 8
- 5
- 10
- 2
7.
Zee has four possible answers for 3(x − 3) = 12, and only one works. Which value of x makes it true?
- 7
- 1
- 5
- 4
8.
Ari checks a friend's answers to 2(x + 3) = -8 before class. Which value of x makes it true?
- -1
- -4
- -7
- -14
Bo packs 2 gift bags. Each bag gets the same number of stickers plus 4 pens, and the bags hold 18 things in all. How many stickers go in each bag?
Esme and 2 friends each buy a sandwich and a $1 juice. They spend $12 in all. How many dollars does one sandwich cost?

7th grade Solve equations with a bracket like 3(x + 4) = 21 worksheet – printable — Print: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Solve equations with a bracket like 3(x + 4) = 21. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

I can solve an equation like 3(x + 4) = 21 by dividing first: 21 ÷ 3 = 7, then 7 − 4 = 3.
I can solve it by spreading first: 3(x + 4) = 3x + 12, then 3x = 9, then x = 3, and see that both ways agree.
I can do it with negatives, decimals and fractions, like -2(x + 5) = 8 or (3/4)(x + 8) = 21, and check an answer by putting it back in.

Standard: 7.EE.B.4a

Words to know

parentheses: Parentheses around an expression. In 3(x + 4) the parentheses holds x + 4.

distribute (spread): Multiply the number outside by every term inside the parentheses.

divide first: Split the total by the number outside the parentheses, then deal with what is inside.

coefficient: The number multiplying x, or multiplying a whole parentheses.

bar model (tape diagram): Two bars of equal value: the left side on top, the right side below.

check: Put your answer back into the equation and see that both sides match.

Common mistakes

Your child took the extra number inside the parentheses off the total once, but the number outside the parentheses multiplies it too. Draw 3 pieces that are each x + 4 and count how many 4s there are.

Your child added the extra number in the parentheses when it had to come off, or took it off when it had to go back on.

Your child divided by the number outside the parentheses and stopped, so the answer is still x plus the extra number.

What to say

Ask: to get x alone, does this number come off or go back on?

Ask: that is what one whole piece is worth; how much of it is x?

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with solve equations with a bracket like 3(x + 4) = 21?

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.

More grade 7 math

See all grade 7 math

Every sheet you scan goes into your child’s record: dated, marked and ready for the year-end portfolio. Homeschool records