Translating words into equations worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this step by step. The task is to match each word problem with the correct number sentence that has an unknown (represented by W).

We are given six word problems and six number sentences:

---

Number Sentences:

1. $ W + 10 = 25 $
2. $ W - 3 = 18 $
3. $ W - 12 = 13 $
4. $ 10 + W = 18 $
5. $ W - 9 = 10 $
6. $ 18 - W = 14 $

---

Now, let’s go through each word problem one by one and match it to the correct equation.

---

1. "3 subtracted from a number gives 18"

- "A number" → $ W $
- "3 subtracted from a number" → $ W - 3 $
- "gives 18" → equals 18

So:
$ W - 3 = 18 $

✔ Match: $ W - 3 = 18 $

---

2. "a number added to 10 gives 18"

- "A number" → $ W $
- "added to 10" → $ 10 + W $
- "gives 18" → = 18

So:
$ 10 + W = 18 $

✔ Match: $ 10 + W = 18 $

---

3. "twelve subtracted from a number gives 13"

- "A number" → $ W $
- "twelve subtracted from a number" → $ W - 12 $
- "gives 13" → = 13

So:
$ W - 12 = 13 $

✔ Match: $ W - 12 = 13 $

---

4. "if you add 10 to his collection of buttons you would get 25, how many buttons does he have now?"

- Let $ W $ = current number of buttons
- Add 10 → $ W + 10 $
- Result is 25 → $ W + 10 = 25 $

So:
$ W + 10 = 25 $

✔ Match: $ W + 10 = 25 $

---

5. "when nine is taken away from a number the result is 10"

- "A number" → $ W $
- "nine is taken away" → $ W - 9 $
- "result is 10" → = 10

So:
$ W - 9 = 10 $

✔ Match: $ W - 9 = 10 $

---

6. "when a number is taken away from 18 the result is 14"

- "A number is taken away from 18" → $ 18 - W $
- "the result is 14" → = 14

So:
$ 18 - W = 14 $

✔ Match: $ 18 - W = 14 $

---

✔ Final Matching:

| Problem | Number Sentence |
|--------|------------------|
| 1. 3 subtracted from a number gives 18 | $ W - 3 = 18 $ |
| 2. a number added to 10 gives 18 | $ 10 + W = 18 $ |
| 3. twelve subtracted from a number gives 13 | $ W - 12 = 13 $ |
| 4. if you add 10 to his collection... | $ W + 10 = 25 $ |
| 5. when nine is taken away from a number... | $ W - 9 = 10 $ |
| 6. when a number is taken away from 18... | $ 18 - W = 14 $ |

---

🟩 Summary:

Each word problem matches uniquely to one of the equations. The key is identifying:
- What is the unknown? (Always $ W $)
- What operation is being performed?
- Is the unknown being subtracted from something or something being subtracted from it?

This helps avoid confusion between $ W - x $ and $ x - W $.

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!