Write an equation for a story

Answer Key - Grade 7 Math Worksheet - Challenge Me

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

1. 1.

   Esme watches a whale at -30 m rise 2.5 m each second. After s seconds, the whale is at -5 m. Let s be the number of seconds. What equation matches the story?

   2.5s − 30 = -5
2. 2.

   Jun has $3.50 and saves $1.25 each week for a telescope. After w weeks, Jun has $11. Let w be the number of weeks. What equation matches the story?

   1.25w + 3.5 = 11
3. 3.

   Each of 3 backpacks held x books, but Noah took 2 out of each. 21 books are left in all. Let x be the number of books in one backpack. What equation matches the story?

   3(x − 2) = 21
4. 4.

   Each level, Ren wins x points and loses 3 points to puddles. After 4 levels, Ren has 28 points. Let x be the points won in one level. Which equation fits?

   • 3(x − 4) = 28
   • 4(x − 3) = 28
   • 4(x + 3) = 28
   • 4x − 3 = 28
5. 5.

   Tala adds 4 shells to each of 3 buckets. Each bucket held x shells, and now there are 33 shells in all. Let x be the number of shells in one bucket. Which equation fits?

   • 4(x + 3) = 33
   • 3x + 4 = 33
   • 3(x − 4) = 33
   • 3(x + 4) = 33
6. 6.

   Ari is given 5(x + 3) = 55, where x is the number of crayons in one bag. Which story matches that equation?

   • Each of Ari's 3 bags holds x crayons and 5 stickers. There are 55 crayons and stickers in all.
   • Each of Ari's 5 bags holds x crayons, but 3 break in each bag. 55 whole crayons are left in all.
   • Ari has 5 bags with x crayons in each, and 3 loose stickers. There are 55 crayons and stickers in all.
   • Each of Ari's 5 bags holds x crayons and 3 stickers. There are 55 crayons and stickers in all.
7. 7.

   Bo is given 4(x − 2) = 32, where x is the number of apples in one basket. Which story matches that equation?

   • Each of Bo's 4 baskets holds x apples and 2 pears. There are 32 fruits in all.
   • Bo has 4 baskets with x apples in each, and 2 apples are eaten. 32 apples are left in all.
   • Each of Bo's 4 baskets held x apples, but 2 were eaten from each. 32 apples are left in all.
   • Each of Bo's 2 baskets held x apples, but 4 were eaten from each. 32 apples are left in all.
8. 8.

   Esme writes 5(x − 2) = 35, where x is the points won in one level. Each level also loses 2 points to puddles. What does (x − 2) stand for?

   • the points lost in one level
   • the points kept in all 5 levels
   • the number of levels
   • the points kept in one level
9. 9.

   Jun writes 2.5s − 30 = -5 for a whale that starts at -30 m and rises 2.5 m each second. What does the 2.5s stand for?

   • the meters the whale has risen
   • the number of seconds
   • the meters per second
   • the meters of the start
10. 10.

    Kira writes 3(x − 2) = 21, where x is the books in one backpack. Kira took 2 books out of each of 3 backpacks. What does 3(x − 2) stand for?

    • the books taken out
    • the books left in all 3 backpacks
    • the books left in one backpack
    • the number of backpacks