Math Variables: Solving for Unknowns in Real Life

1. Sarah has some apples. If she has x apples and she buys 5 more, how many apples does she have now? Define x.

• x + 10

• x - 5

• x + 5

• 5x

2. Tom is collecting stickers. If he has y stickers and gives away 3, how many stickers does he have left? Define y.

• y - 1

• y + 3

• 3 - y

• y - 3

3. A box contains z chocolates. If 10 chocolates are eaten, how many chocolates are left in the box? Define z.

• z - 10

• 10 - z

• z - 5

• z + 10

4. Lisa read some books. If she read b books last month and reads 4 more this month, how many books has she read in total? Define b.

• b + 4

• b * 4

• b - 4

• b + 2

5. There are m birds in a tree. If 2 birds fly away, how many birds are still in the tree? Define m.

• m - 1

• m - 3

• m - 2

• m + 2

6. A car can hold n passengers. If 3 passengers get out, how many passengers can still fit in the car? Define n.

• n - 3

• n - 5

• n + 3

• n - 1

7. Jake has p marbles. If he wins 6 more marbles in a game, how many marbles does he have now? Define p.

• 6p

• p - 6

• p + 3

• p + 6

8. A garden has q flowers. If 5 flowers bloom, how many flowers are there in total now? Define q.

• q - 5

• 5 flowers

• q

• q + 5

9. Emma has r dollars. If she spends 10 dollars, how much money does she have left? Define r.

• r - 10

• r + 10

• r - 5

• 10 - r

10. A classroom has s desks. If 4 desks are removed, how many desks are still in the classroom? Define s.

• s / 2

• s - 4

• s + 4

• s - 2