Solving for a Variable Worksheet

Solving for a Variable

Read each question carefully and solve for the variable. Show your work where indicated.

1. To isolate a variable, you must perform the   operation on both sides of the equation.

2. In the equation 3x + 5 = 14, the variable is  .

3. Solve for x: x + 7 = 15

4. Solve for y: y - 9 = 21

5. Solve for a: 4a = 36

6. Solve for b: b / 5 = 12

7. Consider the balanced scale below. If each block on the left (x) weighs the same, and the total weight on the right is 10 units, what is the weight of one 'x' block?

8. Solve for m: 2m + 3 = 17

9. Solve for p: 5p - 8 = 22

10. Solve for k: (k / 3) + 4 = 9

11. Which operation should you perform first to solve for x in the equation 3x - 6 = 12?

12. What is the value of x in the equation 7(x + 2) = 35?

13. Sarah bought 3 notebooks and a pen. The pen cost $2. If her total bill was $11, how much did each notebook cost? Write an equation and solve for the cost of one notebook.

14. A rectangle has a perimeter of 40 units. If its length is 12 units, what is its width? (Formula for perimeter: P = 2L + 2W)