Solving Math Word Problems: Equations & Variables for 5th Grade

1. Sarah has 3 times as many apples as Tom. If Tom has x apples, write an equation to represent the number of apples Sarah has. What is the equation?

• Sarah's apples = 3x

• Sarah's apples = x + 3

• Sarah's apples = 2x

• Sarah's apples = x

2. A book costs $15. If you buy x books, how much will you spend? Write an equation to represent the total cost. What is the equation?

• total cost = 15 - x

• total cost = 15 * x

• total cost = x / 15

• total cost = 15 + x

3. Emily has 20 stickers. She gives away y stickers to her friends. Write an equation to find out how many stickers she has left. What is the equation?

• 20 + y

• 20 * y

• y - 20

• 20 - y

4. A pizza has 8 slices. If you eat x slices, how many slices are left? Write an equation to represent this situation. What is the equation?

• 8 - x = slices left

• slices left = 8 - 2x

• x + 2 = slices left

• 8 + x = slices left

5. John has 5 more than twice the number of marbles that Lisa has. If Lisa has m marbles, write an equation to represent the number of marbles John has. What is the equation?

• J = 2m + 5

• J = 2m - 5

• J = 3m + 5

• J = m + 5

6. A toy costs $25. If you have $x and want to buy the toy, how much more money do you need? Write an equation to find the answer. What is the equation?

• x - 25

• 25 - x

• 25 + x

• x / 25

7. There are 12 cookies in a jar. If you eat c cookies, how many cookies are left? Write an equation to represent this situation. What is the equation?

• 12 - c

• c - 12

• 12 * c

• 12 + c

8. A car travels 60 miles per hour. If it travels for t hours, how far does it go? Write an equation to represent the distance traveled. What is the equation?

• distance = 60t

• distance = 60t^2

• distance = 60 + t

• distance = 60 - t

9. A farmer has 50 apples. He sells a certain number, a, and now has 30 apples left. Write an equation to find out how many apples he sold. What is the equation?

• 50 + a = 30

• 50 - 30 = a

• a = 20

• 50 - a = 30

10. A school has 200 students. If x students are absent, how many students are present? Write an equation to represent this situation. What is the equation?

• 200 - x

• 200 * x

• 200 + x

• x - 200