Crafting Word Problems Using Variables in Context

1. Sarah has x apples. If she buys 5 more apples, how can we express the total number of apples she has now in a word problem?

• Sarah has x - 5 apples.

• Sarah now has x + 5 apples.

• Sarah has x + 10 apples.

• Sarah has 5 apples in total.

2. A book costs y dollars. If you buy 3 books, how can you write a word problem that shows the total cost?

• The total cost of buying 3 books is y/3 dollars.

• The total cost of buying 3 books is y dollars.

• The total cost of buying 3 books is 6y dollars.

• The total cost of buying 3 books is 3y dollars.

3. Tom has m marbles. If he gives away 4 marbles, how can we create a word problem to find out how many marbles he has left?

• m / 4

• m - 2

• m - 4

• m + 4

4. A car travels p miles per hour. If it travels for 3 hours, how can we write a word problem to find the total distance traveled?

• The total distance traveled is 3p miles.

• The total distance traveled is 6p miles.

• The total distance traveled is p miles.

• The total distance traveled is 3p^2 miles.

5. If a pizza has q slices and you eat 2 slices, how can we create a word problem to determine how many slices are left?

• q - 2

• 2 - q

• q - 1

• q + 2

6. Lisa has n stickers. If she receives 10 more stickers from her friend, how can we express this situation in a word problem?

• If Lisa has n stickers and receives 5 more, she now has n + 5 stickers.

• If Lisa has n stickers and loses 10, she now has n + 10 stickers.

• If Lisa has n stickers and receives 10 more, she now has n + 10 stickers.

• If Lisa has n stickers and gives away 10, she has n - 10 stickers.

7. A movie ticket costs r dollars. If you buy 4 tickets, how can we write a word problem to find the total amount spent?

• The total amount spent is r + 4 dollars.

• The total amount spent is 4 * r dollars.

• The total amount spent is r / 4 dollars.

• The total amount spent is 4 - r dollars.

8. If a garden has s flowers and you plant 5 more, how can we create a word problem to find the new total of flowers?

• s - 5

• s + 5

• s * 5

• s / 5

9. A box can hold t toys. If you have 15 toys, how can we write a word problem to determine how many boxes you need?

• t * 15

• 15 / t

• 15 + t

• t - 15

10. If you have v video games and you donate 3, how can we create a word problem to find out how many video games you have left?

• v + 3

• v - 3

• v - 5

• 3 - v