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.

   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?

   1.5d + 4.5 = 12
4. 4.

   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
5. 5.

   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
6. 6.

   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
7. 7.

   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?

   3(x + 5) = 36
8. 8.

   Each of 5 backpacks holds x books and 4 folders, and Luz counts 55 items in all. Let x be the number of books in one backpack. Which equation fits?

   • 5(x − 4) = 55
   • 5(x + 4) = 55
   • 4(x + 5) = 55
   • 5x + 4 = 55
9. 9.

   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
   • 6x − 3 = 39
   • 3x + 6 = 39
   • 6(x + 3) = 39
10. 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 pencils and erasers in one box
    • the erasers in one box
    • the number of boxes
    • the pencils and erasers in all 4 boxes