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Writing Expressions from Word Problems - Printable Mathematics Worksheets grade 6 - Wayground

Writing Expressions from Word Problems

12 questions

6th - 8th Grade

Mathematics

Writing Expressions from Word Problems is a Grade 6–8 mathematics worksheet that helps students translate everyday situations into algebraic expressions. Across 12 multiple-choice questions, students identify expressions for fixed fees and variable rates, combine like terms to find a triangle’s perimeter, represent multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction scenarios, and interpret phrases such as “product of” and “twice an age minus four.” The worksheet gives students repeated practice deciding which operation and variable relationship match a word problem, including contexts involving phone service, earnings, prizes, ages, seating, parking, tickets, and empty seats. It is a free printable worksheet with a complete answer key, making it useful for independent practice, classwork, homework, or a quick check of students’ ability to connect verbal descriptions with algebraic notation.

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Worksheets

Writing Expressions from Word Problems

Total questions: 12

Name
Class
Date
1.

AT&T charges $30 per month for phone service and a one-time activation fee of $25. What expression describes the scenario, where m = months?

a)

30 - 25m

b)

30m - 25

c)

30 + 25m

d)

30m + 25

2.

A Lyft driver earns $10/hour and works "h" hours per day. She also spends $25 on gas each day. Which expression represents how much she will earn in a day?

a)

10h + 25

b)

10h - 25

c)

10h - 25h

d)

10h + 25h

3.

Which expression represents the perimeter of a triangle in simplest form that has side lengths: 2x, 3x + 5, x + 2

a)

6x + 7

b)

13x

c)

5x + 7

d)

7x + 10

4.

The price of a visit to the dentist is $150. If the dentist fills any cavities, there is an additional charge of $50 per cavity. If the dentist finds "c" cavities, what is the cost of a visit?

a)

200c

b)

200 + c

c)

150c + 50c

d)

150 + 50c

5.

Translate the expression into words:


5x - 2

a)

Five less than a number minus two.

b)

The quotient of a number and five minus two.

c)

Five times a number minus two.

d)

Two less than the sum of five and a number.

6.

Translate the sentence into an expression:


The product of four and a number plus three

a)

3y + 4

b)

4 + y + 3

c)

4y + 3

d)

4(y + 3)

7.

Mr. Marcin is making bags of prizes for hardworking students. He has 92 prizes and splits them evenly into b bags. Which expression represents this situation?

a)

 92 + b92\ +\ b  

b)

 92 − b92\ -\ b  

c)

 92b92b  

d)

 92 ÷b92\ \div b  

8.

Mr. Williams is x years old. If his mother is twice his age minus four, what expression represents his mother's age?

a)

3x - 4

b)

2x - 4

c)

2 + x - 4

d)

2x + 4

9.

There were 47 frogs in a pond. f of the frogs hopped away. Choose the expression that represents this.

a)

f − 47f\ -\ 47

b)

f + 47f\ +\ 47

c)

47 ÷ f 47\ \div\ f\

d)

47 − f 47\ -\ f\

10.

There are r rows of chairs with 8 chairs in each row. Choose the expression that represents the total number of chairs.

a)

8r8r

b)

8 ÷ r 8\ \div\ r\

c)

8 − r8\ -\ r

d)

8 + r8\ +\ r

11.

Shawn and his friends are going to the NC State fair. It costs $12 to park their car. Tickets to get in are $10 per person (p). Which expression represents how much money they will spend?

a)

12p + 10p

b)

12p - 10p

c)

12p + 10

d)

12 + 10p

12.

A plane traveling to Raleigh has 100 seats on board. If there are p passengers on the plane, which equation represents the number of empty seats there are on the plane?

a)

p - 100

b)

100 - p

c)

100p

d)

100 + p

Answer Key

Writing Expressions from Word Problems

Total questions: 12

1.
d)

30m + 25

2.
b)

10h - 25

3.
a)

6x + 7

4.
d)

150 + 50c

5.
c)

Five times a number minus two.

6.
c)

4y + 3

7.
d)

 92 ÷b92\ \div b  

8.
b)

2x - 4

9.
d)

47 − f 47\ -\ f\

10.
a)

8r8r

11.
d)

12 + 10p

12.
b)

100 - p

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FAQs

What does the Writing Expressions from Word Problems worksheet cover?

This worksheet covers translating real-world situations and verbal phrases into algebraic expressions through 12 multiple-choice questions. Students represent fixed costs, rates, changes in quantity, multiplication and division relationships, and phrases such as “five times a number minus two,” then simplify a perimeter expression by combining like terms.

How can I use this worksheet to teach students to write expressions from word problems?

Introduce the worksheet by having students underline the known quantity, variable, and relationship in a short scenario, such as a fixed activation fee plus a monthly phone charge. Model how words such as “per,” “twice,” “evenly,” and “hopped away” signal operations, then use the multiple-choice options to discuss why distractors reverse subtraction, apply a fee to the wrong quantity, or use addition instead of multiplication. After modeling one or two items, have students explain the operation and the role of the variable before selecting an answer.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this expressions worksheet?

Students may confuse a one-time amount with a variable rate, as in writing a monthly phone charge as 30 + 25m instead of 30m + 25, or add a gas cost instead of subtracting it from earnings. Watch for reversed subtraction in situations such as 47 frogs minus f frogs and 100 seats minus p passengers, as well as confusing multiplication with addition in the rows-of-chairs problem. In the perimeter item, students may also fail to combine 2x, 3x, and x or combine constants incorrectly.

How do I assign and grade this worksheet?

You can assign Writing Expressions from Word Problems as a printable PDF or as a digital quiz on Wayground. The worksheet includes a complete answer key for checking the 12 multiple-choice responses, and printable submissions can be graded by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app. The printable option also supports schools that want to reduce screen time.

How can I differentiate this worksheet for my students?

Use the worksheet’s Advanced Settings to adjust font spacing and font size so the word-problem text and multiple-choice options are easier to read. You can also enable a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language, helping students focus on identifying operations and writing expressions from the scenarios.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to help students master essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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