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7th grade Write an equation for a story worksheet

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Write an equation for a story

Grade 7 Math Worksheet

NameDate

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

  1. Tala's bathtub holds 40 gallons and drains 4 gallons each minute. After x minutes, it holds 16 gallons. Let x be the number of minutes. What equation matches the story?

  2. Ari's sunflower seedling is 4.5 cm tall and grows 1.5 cm each day. After d days, it is 12 cm tall. Let d be the number of days. What equation matches the story?

  3. Bo has $7.50 and saves $2.25 each week for a telescope. After w weeks, Bo has $18.75. Let w be the number of weeks. What equation matches the story?

  4. Each of Kira's 3 baskets holds x apples and 5 pears. There are 36 fruits in all. Let x be the number of apples in one basket. What equation matches the story?

  5. Milo has 6 bags with x crayons in each, and 3 loose stickers. There are 39 crayons and stickers in all. Let x be the number of crayons in one bag. Which equation fits?

    • 6x − 3 = 39
    • 3x + 6 = 39
    • 6x + 3 = 39
    • 6(x + 3) = 39

  6. Noah has 5 boxes with x pencils in each, and 8 loose erasers. There are 53 pencils and erasers in all. Let x be the number of pencils in one box. Which equation fits?

    • 5x + 53 = 8
    • 5x − 8 = 53
    • 5(x + 8) = 53
    • 5x + 8 = 53

  7. Pia is given 45 − 5x = 20, where x is the number of minutes. Which story matches that equation?

    • Pia's bathtub holds 45 gallons and drains 1 gallon each minute. After x minutes, it holds 20 gallons.
    • Pia's bathtub holds 45 gallons and drains 5 gallons each minute. After x minutes, it holds 20 gallons.
    • Pia's bathtub holds 45 gallons and fills 5 more gallons each minute. After x minutes, it holds 20 gallons.

  8. Tala is given 6(x + 4) = 60, where x is the number of pencils in one box. Which story matches that equation?

    • Each of Tala's 6 boxes holds x pencils and 4 erasers. There are 60 pencils and erasers in all.
    • Each of Tala's 6 boxes holds x pencils, but 4 are lent out from each box. 60 pencils are left in all.
    • Tala has 6 boxes with x pencils in each, and 4 loose erasers. There are 60 pencils and erasers in all.
    • Each of Tala's 4 boxes holds x pencils and 6 erasers. There are 60 pencils and erasers in all.

  9. Zee writes 6d + 9 = 45, where d is the number of days. Zee finds 6 shells each day and had some shells at the start. What does the 9 stand for?

    • the number of days
    • the shells Zee starts with
    • the shells at the end
    • the shells found each day

  10. Ari writes 4(x + 3) = 40, where x is the pencils in one box. Each box also holds 3 erasers. What does (x + 3) stand for?

    • the erasers in one box
    • the number of boxes
    • the pencils and erasers in one box
    • the pencils and erasers in all 4 boxes
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7th grade Write an equation for a story worksheet – printable
Print: 123456

About this worksheet

Write an equation for a story. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

  • I can write 3w + 4 = 19 for "4 shells to start and 3 more each day", and 40 − 4x = 16 for a tub that drains.
  • I can tell 5x + 4 = 55 (the 4 is added once) from 5(x + 4) = 55 (every group has the 4), and write either one for a story.
  • I can pick the story that matches an equation, and say what a part of the equation stands for.

Standard: 7.EE.B.4a

Words to know

equation: A math sentence with an equal sign. Both sides have the same value.

variable: A letter for a number we do not know yet, like w for the weeks.

group: One of several equal parts, like one box or one week.

parentheses: The curved marks in 4(x + 3). They show that every group has the x and the 3.

total: How much there is at the end, which stands alone on one side.

start: How much there is before anything changes.

Common mistakes

Your child wrote the amount that happens once and the total but left out the part that repeats.

Your child used the right numbers but traded the amount that repeats with the amount that happens once.

Your child used the right numbers but the wrong sign between the parts.

What to say

Ask: how many times does this happen? That number goes with the letter.

Ask: which number happens again and again, and which happens once?

Ask: is this piece added to the total, or taken away from it?

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with write an equation for a story?

Your child wrote the amount that happens once and the total but left out the part that repeats.

How can I help my child with write an equation for a story?

Ask: how many times does this happen? That number goes with the letter.

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

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