One-Step Equation Word Problems
1. Lisa is cooking muffins. The recipe calls for 7 cups of sugar. She has already put in 3 cups. How many more cups does she need to put in?
Equation: x + 3 = 7 or 3 + x = 7
2. Emily had $250.00 on a gift card. She purchased a new stereo and has $88 left on the gift card. How much did the stereo cost?
Equation: $250 - x = $88 or $88 + x = $250
3. Julia wants to buy an MP3 player that costs $130.98. How much change will she receive if she gives the cashier $140.00?
Equation: $130.98 + x = $140.00 or $140.00 - x = $130.98
4. Julia ran 30 miles more than Carlos. Julia ran 47 miles. How many miles did Carlos run?
Equation: x + 30 = 47 or 47 – x = 30
5. The jacket you wanted to purchase was $54.99. You had a coupon and only had to pay $42.49. How much was your coupon?
Equation: $54.99 – x = $42.49 or $42.49 + x = $54.99
6. Marietta was given a raise of $0.75 an hour, which brought her hourly wage to $12.25. What was Marietta’s hourly wage before her raise?
Equation: x + $0.75 = $12.25 or $12.25 – x = $0.75
7. Last Friday Adam had $22.33. Over the weekend he received some money for cleaning the attic. He now has $32.00. How much money did he receive?
Equation: $22.33 + x = $32.00 or $32.00 - x = $22.33
8. Adam weighs 6 pounds less than he did 90 days ago. His current weight is 183 pounds. How much did Adam weigh 90 days ago?
Equation: x – 6 = 183
9. After paying $5.12 for a salad, Heidi has $27.10. How much money did she have before buying the salad?
Equation: x - $5.12 = $27.10
10. At a restaurant, Mike and his two friends divide up the bill. If his two friends paid $12.00 each and the total bill was $39.00, how much did Mike pay?
Equation: $24.00 + x = $39.00 or $39.00 – x = $24.00
11. The radius of the Earth is 6378.1 km, which is 2981.1 km longer than the radius of Mars. What is the radius of Mars?
Equation: 2981.1 + x = 6378.1 or 6378.1 - x = 2981.1
12. James took two math tests. He scored 86 points on the second test. This was 18 points lower than his score on the first test. What was James’ first test score?
Equation: x - 18 = 86
13. The noontime temperature was 59 degrees. This was 3 degrees lower than predicted. What was the predicted noontime temperature?
Equation: x + 3 = 59 or 59 – x = 3
14. For two weeks, Gabrielle raised money by selling magazines. She raised $72 during the second week, which brought her total to $122. How much did she raise in the first week?
Equation: x + $72.00 = $122.00 or $122.00 – x = $72.00