ReasoningAges 7-9

Symbol equation puzzles

Deduce the value of a repeated mystery symbol in a two-step arithmetic equation. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Age band:Ages 7-9 Ages 10-12

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9

Symbol equation puzzles

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 13 = 79, what number does ★ stand for?
6 · 13 · 79 · Symbol equation puzzles
2. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 10 = 76, what number does ★ stand for?
6 · 10 · 76 · Symbol equation puzzles
3. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 7 = 34, what number does ★ stand for?
3 · 7 · 34 · Symbol equation puzzles
4. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 4 × ★ + 7 = 19, what number does ★ stand for?
4 · 7 · 19 · Symbol equation puzzles
5. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 3 = 25, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 3 · 25 · Symbol equation puzzles
6. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 11 = 47, what number does ★ stand for?
3 · 11 · 47 · Symbol equation puzzles
7. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 19 = 89, what number does ★ stand for?
7 · 19 · 89 · Symbol equation puzzles
8. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 20 = 118, what number does ★ stand for?
7 · 20 · 118 · Symbol equation puzzles
9. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 18 = 38, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 18 · 38 · Symbol equation puzzles
10. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 15 = 29, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 15 · 29 · Symbol equation puzzles
11. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 20 = 48, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 20 · 48 · Symbol equation puzzles
12. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 10 = 34, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 10 · 34 · Symbol equation puzzles

12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9

Symbol equation puzzles

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 13 = 79, what number does ★ stand for?
11
Subtract 13 from 79 to get 66, then divide by 6: ★ = 11.
2. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 10 = 76, what number does ★ stand for?
11
Subtract 10 from 76 to get 66, then divide by 6: ★ = 11.
3. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 7 = 34, what number does ★ stand for?
9
Subtract 7 from 34 to get 27, then divide by 3: ★ = 9.
4. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 4 × ★ + 7 = 19, what number does ★ stand for?
3
Subtract 7 from 19 to get 12, then divide by 4: ★ = 3.
5. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 3 = 25, what number does ★ stand for?
11
Subtract 3 from 25 to get 22, then divide by 2: ★ = 11.
6. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 11 = 47, what number does ★ stand for?
12
Subtract 11 from 47 to get 36, then divide by 3: ★ = 12.
7. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 19 = 89, what number does ★ stand for?
10
Subtract 19 from 89 to get 70, then divide by 7: ★ = 10.
8. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 20 = 118, what number does ★ stand for?
14
Subtract 20 from 118 to get 98, then divide by 7: ★ = 14.
9. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 18 = 38, what number does ★ stand for?
10
Subtract 18 from 38 to get 20, then divide by 2: ★ = 10.
10. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 15 = 29, what number does ★ stand for?
7
Subtract 15 from 29 to get 14, then divide by 2: ★ = 7.
11. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 20 = 48, what number does ★ stand for?
14
Subtract 20 from 48 to get 28, then divide by 2: ★ = 14.
12. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 10 = 34, what number does ★ stand for?
12
Subtract 10 from 34 to get 24, then divide by 2: ★ = 12.

12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9

Symbol equation puzzles

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 13 = 79, what number does ★ stand for?
6 · 13 · 79 · Symbol equation puzzles
2. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 10 = 76, what number does ★ stand for?
6 · 10 · 76 · Symbol equation puzzles
3. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 7 = 34, what number does ★ stand for?
3 · 7 · 34 · Symbol equation puzzles
4. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 4 × ★ + 7 = 19, what number does ★ stand for?
4 · 7 · 19 · Symbol equation puzzles
5. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 3 = 25, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 3 · 25 · Symbol equation puzzles
6. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 11 = 47, what number does ★ stand for?
3 · 11 · 47 · Symbol equation puzzles
7. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 19 = 89, what number does ★ stand for?
7 · 19 · 89 · Symbol equation puzzles
8. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 20 = 118, what number does ★ stand for?
7 · 20 · 118 · Symbol equation puzzles
9. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 18 = 38, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 18 · 38 · Symbol equation puzzles
10. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 15 = 29, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 15 · 29 · Symbol equation puzzles
11. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 20 = 48, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 20 · 48 · Symbol equation puzzles
12. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 10 = 34, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 10 · 34 · Symbol equation puzzles

12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9

Symbol equation puzzles

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 13 = 79, what number does ★ stand for?
11
Subtract 13 from 79 to get 66, then divide by 6: ★ = 11.
2. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 10 = 76, what number does ★ stand for?
11
Subtract 10 from 76 to get 66, then divide by 6: ★ = 11.
3. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 7 = 34, what number does ★ stand for?
9
Subtract 7 from 34 to get 27, then divide by 3: ★ = 9.
4. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 4 × ★ + 7 = 19, what number does ★ stand for?
3
Subtract 7 from 19 to get 12, then divide by 4: ★ = 3.
5. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 3 = 25, what number does ★ stand for?
11
Subtract 3 from 25 to get 22, then divide by 2: ★ = 11.
6. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 11 = 47, what number does ★ stand for?
12
Subtract 11 from 47 to get 36, then divide by 3: ★ = 12.
7. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 19 = 89, what number does ★ stand for?
10
Subtract 19 from 89 to get 70, then divide by 7: ★ = 10.
8. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 20 = 118, what number does ★ stand for?
14
Subtract 20 from 118 to get 98, then divide by 7: ★ = 14.
9. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 18 = 38, what number does ★ stand for?
10
Subtract 18 from 38 to get 20, then divide by 2: ★ = 10.
10. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 15 = 29, what number does ★ stand for?
7
Subtract 15 from 29 to get 14, then divide by 2: ★ = 7.
11. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 20 = 48, what number does ★ stand for?
14
Subtract 20 from 48 to get 28, then divide by 2: ★ = 14.
12. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 10 = 34, what number does ★ stand for?
12
Subtract 10 from 34 to get 24, then divide by 2: ★ = 12.

12 questions · Seed 104738 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification