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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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 2 × ★ + 9 = 17, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 9 · 17 · Symbol equation puzzles
2. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 10 = 52, what number does ★ stand for?
7 · 10 · 52 · Symbol equation puzzles
3. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 3 = 63, what number does ★ stand for?
6 · 3 · 63 · Symbol equation puzzles
4. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 13 = 77, what number does ★ stand for?
8 · 13 · 77 · Symbol equation puzzles
5. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 6 = 126, what number does ★ stand for?
8 · 6 · 126 · Symbol equation puzzles
6. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 15 = 29, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 15 · 29 · Symbol equation puzzles
7. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 9 = 81, what number does ★ stand for?
8 · 9 · 81 · Symbol equation puzzles
8. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 3 = 87, what number does ★ stand for?
7 · 3 · 87 · Symbol equation puzzles
9. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 13 = 85, what number does ★ stand for?
8 · 13 · 85 · Symbol equation puzzles
10. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 7 = 28, what number does ★ stand for?
3 · 7 · 28 · Symbol equation puzzles
11. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 7 = 13, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 7 · 13 · Symbol equation puzzles
12. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 5 × ★ + 4 = 44, what number does ★ stand for?
5 · 4 · 44 · Symbol equation puzzles

12 questions · Seed 46 · 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 2 × ★ + 9 = 17, what number does ★ stand for?
4
Subtract 9 from 17 to get 8, then divide by 2: ★ = 4.
2. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 10 = 52, what number does ★ stand for?
6
Subtract 10 from 52 to get 42, then divide by 7: ★ = 6.
3. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 3 = 63, what number does ★ stand for?
10
Subtract 3 from 63 to get 60, then divide by 6: ★ = 10.
4. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 13 = 77, what number does ★ stand for?
8
Subtract 13 from 77 to get 64, then divide by 8: ★ = 8.
5. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 6 = 126, what number does ★ stand for?
15
Subtract 6 from 126 to get 120, then divide by 8: ★ = 15.
6. 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.
7. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 9 = 81, what number does ★ stand for?
9
Subtract 9 from 81 to get 72, then divide by 8: ★ = 9.
8. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 3 = 87, what number does ★ stand for?
12
Subtract 3 from 87 to get 84, then divide by 7: ★ = 12.
9. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 13 = 85, what number does ★ stand for?
9
Subtract 13 from 85 to get 72, then divide by 8: ★ = 9.
10. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 7 = 28, what number does ★ stand for?
7
Subtract 7 from 28 to get 21, then divide by 3: ★ = 7.
11. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 7 = 13, what number does ★ stand for?
3
Subtract 7 from 13 to get 6, then divide by 2: ★ = 3.
12. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 5 × ★ + 4 = 44, what number does ★ stand for?
8
Subtract 4 from 44 to get 40, then divide by 5: ★ = 8.

12 questions · Seed 46 · 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 2 × ★ + 9 = 17, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 9 · 17 · Symbol equation puzzles
2. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 10 = 52, what number does ★ stand for?
7 · 10 · 52 · Symbol equation puzzles
3. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 3 = 63, what number does ★ stand for?
6 · 3 · 63 · Symbol equation puzzles
4. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 13 = 77, what number does ★ stand for?
8 · 13 · 77 · Symbol equation puzzles
5. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 6 = 126, what number does ★ stand for?
8 · 6 · 126 · Symbol equation puzzles
6. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 15 = 29, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 15 · 29 · Symbol equation puzzles
7. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 9 = 81, what number does ★ stand for?
8 · 9 · 81 · Symbol equation puzzles
8. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 3 = 87, what number does ★ stand for?
7 · 3 · 87 · Symbol equation puzzles
9. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 13 = 85, what number does ★ stand for?
8 · 13 · 85 · Symbol equation puzzles
10. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 7 = 28, what number does ★ stand for?
3 · 7 · 28 · Symbol equation puzzles
11. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 7 = 13, what number does ★ stand for?
2 · 7 · 13 · Symbol equation puzzles
12. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 5 × ★ + 4 = 44, what number does ★ stand for?
5 · 4 · 44 · Symbol equation puzzles

12 questions · Seed 46 · 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 2 × ★ + 9 = 17, what number does ★ stand for?
4
Subtract 9 from 17 to get 8, then divide by 2: ★ = 4.
2. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 10 = 52, what number does ★ stand for?
6
Subtract 10 from 52 to get 42, then divide by 7: ★ = 6.
3. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 6 × ★ + 3 = 63, what number does ★ stand for?
10
Subtract 3 from 63 to get 60, then divide by 6: ★ = 10.
4. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 13 = 77, what number does ★ stand for?
8
Subtract 13 from 77 to get 64, then divide by 8: ★ = 8.
5. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 6 = 126, what number does ★ stand for?
15
Subtract 6 from 126 to get 120, then divide by 8: ★ = 15.
6. 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.
7. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 9 = 81, what number does ★ stand for?
9
Subtract 9 from 81 to get 72, then divide by 8: ★ = 9.
8. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 7 × ★ + 3 = 87, what number does ★ stand for?
12
Subtract 3 from 87 to get 84, then divide by 7: ★ = 12.
9. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 8 × ★ + 13 = 85, what number does ★ stand for?
9
Subtract 13 from 85 to get 72, then divide by 8: ★ = 9.
10. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 3 × ★ + 7 = 28, what number does ★ stand for?
7
Subtract 7 from 28 to get 21, then divide by 3: ★ = 7.
11. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 2 × ★ + 7 = 13, what number does ★ stand for?
3
Subtract 7 from 13 to get 6, then divide by 2: ★ = 3.
12. If ★ represents the same whole number each time and 5 × ★ + 4 = 44, what number does ★ stand for?
8
Subtract 4 from 44 to get 40, then divide by 5: ★ = 8.

12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification