Translate Word Problems: Define Your Variables!

1. Sarah has x apples and buys 5 more. Write an equation to represent the total number of apples she has now.

• total_apples = x - 5

• total_apples = 5 - x

• total_apples = x + 5

• total_apples = x * 5

2. A book costs y dollars. If you buy 3 books, how can you express the total cost in an equation?

• total cost = 3y

• total cost = y + 3

• total cost = 3 + y

• total cost = y/3

3. Tom has m marbles. If he gives away 4 marbles, how can you write an equation to show how many marbles he has left?

• m + 4

• m - 2

• m / 4

• m - 4

4. A car travels n miles per hour. How would you express the distance traveled in 3 hours using an equation?

• distance = n/3

• distance = 3n

• distance = 3 + n

• distance = 3n^2

5. Lisa has p pencils. If she loses 2 pencils, write an equation to show how many pencils she has now.

• p + 2

• p - 5

• p - 2

• 2p

6. A box contains q toys. If 6 toys are added to the box, how can you express the new total in an equation?

• q - 6

• q / 6

• q * 6

• q + 6

7. If a pizza has r slices and you eat 2 slices, how would you write an equation to show how many slices are left?

• r - 2

• r + 2

• r - 1

• 2 - r

8. A concert ticket costs s dollars. If you buy 4 tickets, how can you express the total cost in an equation?

• total cost = s + 4

• total cost = s - 4

• total cost = 4 * s

• total cost = 4 + s

9. If there are t trees in a park and 3 are cut down, write an equation to show how many trees remain.

• t - 3

• t + 3

• t / 3

• t - 1

10. A farmer has u eggs. If he sells 10 eggs, how can you express the number of eggs he has left in an equation?

• u - 5

• u + 10

• u - 10

• u / 2