Write an equation for a story

Answer Key - Grade 7 Math Worksheet

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

1. 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?

   40 − 4x = 16
2. 2.

   Zee has a jar of 50 beads. Each bracelet uses 6 beads. After s bracelets, 14 beads are left. Let s be the number of bracelets. What equation matches the story?

   50 − 6s = 14
3. 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?

   2.25w + 7.5 = 18.75
4. 4.

   Each of Esme's 4 boxes holds x pencils and 3 erasers. There are 40 pencils and erasers in all. Let x be the number of pencils in one box. What equation matches the story?

   4(x + 3) = 40
5. 5.

   Each of Jun's 6 bags holds x crayons and 2 stickers. There are 54 crayons and stickers in all. Let x be the number of crayons in one bag. What equation matches the story?

   6(x + 2) = 54
6. 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
   • 5(x + 8) = 53
   • 5x + 8 = 53
   • 5x − 8 = 53
7. 7.

   Ren is given 6c − 4 = 26, where c is the price of one pack, in dollars. Which story matches that equation?

   • Ren buys 4 packs of crayons and uses a $6 coupon. Ren pays $26.
   • Ren buys 1 pack of crayons and uses a $4 coupon. Ren pays $26.
   • Ren buys 6 packs of crayons and a $4 sharpener. Ren pays $26.
   • Ren buys 6 packs of crayons and uses a $4 coupon. Ren pays $26.
8. 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 4 boxes holds x pencils and 6 erasers. There are 60 pencils and erasers in all.
   • 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.
9. 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 shells at the end
   • the number of days
   • the shells found each day
   • the shells Zee starts with
10. 10.

    Bo writes 40 − 4x = 16, where x is the number of minutes a 40-gallon tub drains at 4 gallons a minute. What does 4x stand for?

    • the gallons left in the tub
    • the gallons that drained out
    • the gallons the tub holds
    • the number of minutes