Algebra worksheet with equations and word problems to solve, matching answers to a list for a fun puzzle.

Let’s solve each problem one by one. We’ll find the value of the variable (or number) in each equation, then match it to the word in the answer column. After solving all 16 problems, we’ll write the words in order from 1 to 16 to reveal the hidden message.

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Problem 1: 5n + 4 = -26

Subtract 4 from both sides:
5n = -30
Divide by 5:
n = -6 → Look for “-6” in answer column → THE

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Problem 2: -2a - 9 = 39

Add 9 to both sides:
-2a = 48
Divide by -2:
a = -24 → Look for “-24” → GUY

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Problem 3: x/4 - 1 = 7

Add 1 to both sides:
x/4 = 8
Multiply by 4:
x = 32 → Look for “32” → WHO

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Problem 4: m/(-5) + 13 = 20

Subtract 13:
m/(-5) = 7
Multiply by -5:
m = -35 → Look for “-35” → INVESTED

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Problem 5: -7y + 2 = -75

Subtract 2:
-7y = -77
Divide by -7:
y = 11 → Look for “11” → IN

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Problem 6: v/3 - 10 = -14

Add 10:
v/3 = -4
Multiply by 3:
v = -12 → Look for “-12” → FEATHERS

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Problem 7: -3 + 4p = -31

Add 3:
4p = -28
Divide by 4:
p = -7 → Look for “-7” → BECAUSE

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Problem 8: -w/6 + 9 = 2

Subtract 9:
-w/6 = -7
Multiply by 6:
-w = -42 → w = 42 → Look for “42” → HE

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Problem 9: 8 - 3x = 128

Subtract 8:
-3x = 120
Divide by -3:
x = -40 → Look for “-40” → HEARD

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Problem 10: 20 - k/15 = 17

Subtract 20:
-k/15 = -3
Multiply by 15:
-k = -45 → k = 45 → Look for “45” → THAT

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Problem 11: 45 = 6d - 45

Add 45:
90 = 6d
Divide by 6:
d = 15 → Look for “15” → THE

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Problem 12: 12 = n/9 + 1

Subtract 1:
11 = n/9
Multiply by 9:
n = 99 → Look for “99” → STOCK

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Problem 13: Five more than twice a number is -13. Find the number.

Let the number be x.
Twice the number: 2x
Five more: 2x + 5
Equation: 2x + 5 = -13
Subtract 5: 2x = -18
Divide by 2: x = -9 → Look for “-9” → MARKET

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Problem 14: Twelve less than the quotient of a number and 7 is -2. Find the number.

Quotient of number and 7: x/7
Twelve less: x/7 - 12
Equation: x/7 - 12 = -2
Add 12: x/7 = 10
Multiply by 7: x = 70 → Look for “70” → WAS

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Problem 15: The sum of eight times a number and fifteen is seven. Find the number.

Eight times number: 8x
Sum with 15: 8x + 15
Equation: 8x + 15 = 7
Subtract 15: 8x = -8
Divide by 8: x = -1 → Look for “-1” → GOING

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Problem 16: One fourth of a number, decreased by 10, is -50. Find the number.

One fourth: x/4
Decreased by 10: x/4 - 10
Equation: x/4 - 10 = -50
Add 10: x/4 = -40
Multiply by 4: x = -160 → Look for “-160” → DOWN

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Now let’s list the answers in order from Problem 1 to 16:

1. THE
2. GUY
3. WHO
4. INVESTED
5. IN
6. FEATHERS
7. BECAUSE
8. HE
9. HEARD
10. THAT
11. THE
12. STOCK
13. MARKET
14. WAS
15. GOING
16. DOWN

Put them together as a sentence:

THE GUY WHO INVESTED IN FEATHERS BECAUSE HE HEARD THAT THE STOCK MARKET WAS GOING DOWN

That makes sense! It’s a joke about someone making a bad investment based on a pun (“feathers” vs “stock market going down” — like birds falling?).

Final Answer:
THE GUY WHO INVESTED IN FEATHERS BECAUSE HE HEARD THAT THE STOCK MARKET WAS GOING DOWN