Linear Expression Word Problems Worksheet Generator

This free Word Problems Worksheet Generator makes printable linear expression and equation word problems, with an answer key, in your web browser. There is no sign-up, and nothing is uploaded, so the problems are made on your device. You choose the problem types, difficulty and number of problems, then print the sheet or save it as a PDF.

The problem types include writing expressions from situations, one-step and two-step equation word problems, consecutive integer problems, perimeter word problems, comparing two plans, distance, rate and time problems, and writing expressions from phrases. Teachers can print several versions of a sheet, and students can practise with new numbers. It also works on phones and tablets. Everything you make here is free to use in class or in products you sell, such as Teachers Pay Teachers resources, Etsy printables or KDP workbooks.

How to use the Word Problems Worksheet Generator

1. On the left, tick one or more Problem types. If you tick several, the problems are shared evenly between them and grouped by type.
2. Choose a Difficulty: Easy, Medium or Hard.
3. Choose the Number of problems, from 6 to 30. Word problems take more room than plain equations, so the page starts with 10.
4. Open More options to set the Columns (Automatic, 1, 2 or 3), the Paper size (Letter or A4), a Worksheet title, and the Name and date line. The Answer key on a separate page box is on by default, so leave it ticked if you want a key.
5. Check the preview on the right. It shows the sheet as it will print.
6. Press Show answers to see each answer under its problem in the preview. Press it again to hide them.
7. Press New worksheet for a fresh set of problems with the same settings, or Print / Save as PDF to print or save the sheet. In the print dialog, choose Save as PDF if you want a file instead of paper.

Copy link copies a link that opens the same worksheet again. Your settings are remembered in this browser for your next visit, unless you open a shared link, which uses that link’s settings.

What is a linear expression word problem?

A linear expression word problem describes a situation where a total changes by a fixed amount each time something changes. You write it as a rate times a variable, plus a fixed amount, such as 2x + 4.

For example, a taxi ride costs $4 plus $2 for each mile. If x is the number of miles, the cost is 2x + 4. The $2 per mile is the rate, x is the variable that changes, and the $4 is the fixed amount that is always paid. The same pattern appears in a plumber who charges a $36 service fee plus $22 per hour, which gives 22h + 36 for h hours.

How do you write an equation from a word problem?

Start by naming the unknown with a letter. Many problems tell you which letter to use, such as “Let n be the number of notebooks.”

Next, write the fixed amount and the amount that changes with the unknown. Set that expression equal to the total given in the problem, then solve the equation.

For example, Mia buys some notebooks at $2 each and uses a $1 coupon. She pays $7 in all. With n as the number of notebooks, the equation is 2n - 1 = 7. Adding 1 to both sides gives 2n = 8, so n = 4.

Comparing two plans works the same way. Write each plan as a linear expression, set them equal, and solve for the variable. The value you find is the point where both plans cost the same.

Sample problems from this generator

1. Maya has $81 in her savings account and adds $12 each week. Write an expression for the amount in her account after w weeks. Answer: 12w + 81
2. A plumber charges a $61 service fee plus $35 per hour of work. Write an expression for the cost of a job that takes h hours. Answer: 35h + 61
3. A water tank holds 71 gallons and drains 8 gallons every minute. Now 15 gallons are left in the tank. Let n be the number of minutes the tank has been draining. Answer: 71 − 8n = 15; n = 7
4. A club sold boxes of cookies for $3 each. After paying $6 for supplies, the club had $102 left. Let b be the number of boxes sold. Answer: 3b − 6 = 102; b = 36

Frequently asked questions

Is there an answer key?

Yes. The Answer key on a separate page box is ticked by default. When you print, the key starts on a new page after the worksheet and lists every problem number with its answer and the equation used to solve it. Use Show answers to check answers on screen first.

Are there easy one-step word problems?

Yes. Set the difficulty to Easy and tick One-step equation word problems. An easy example is a group of 3 friends who share the cost of a gift equally, with each friend paying $8. The equation is c/3 = 8, so c = 24.

How do you solve consecutive integer problems?

Name the smallest integer n. Consecutive integers are n, n + 1, n + 2, and consecutive even or odd integers are n, n + 2, n + 4. Add the expressions, set the sum equal to the given total, and solve. For two raffle tickets with a sum of 15, the equation is n + (n + 1) = 15, so n = 7, and the tickets are 7 and 8.

Can I make a new set of problems?

Yes. Press New worksheet to get different problems with the same settings. No problem repeats on one sheet, so this is useful for several versions of a test or for more practice.

Can I save the worksheet as a PDF?

Yes. Press Print / Save as PDF to open your browser’s print dialog, then choose “Save as PDF” to save a PDF file. Printing needs a printer or the Save as PDF option.

Does it work on a phone or tablet?

Yes. The generator works on phones and tablets as well as computers. You need a printer or the Save as PDF option to print the sheet.

Can I sell word problems worksheets made with this generator?

Yes. You can sell what you make here, for example as a Teachers Pay Teachers resource, an Etsy download or pages in a KDP book. It is royalty-free and needs no credit line. The only limit is that you may not mirror or resell the site or its generators as a competing service.

Related tools

• Solving equations worksheets: use these for more practice with isolating the variable once your word problems are written as equations.
• Algebraic expressions worksheets: use these to practise simplifying and evaluating expressions before you write them from situations.
• Functions worksheets: use these when you need to describe how one quantity depends on another.
• Percent worksheets: use these for practice with percent problems that set up as linear equations.
• Systems of equations worksheets: use these when a problem has two unknowns and needs two equations.
• Pre-algebra worksheets: use these for a broad review of the skills that come before equations and expressions.
• Inequalities worksheets: use these when a situation asks for a range of values rather than one exact answer.
• Unit rate worksheets: use these for rate and unit price word problems.
• Simple interest worksheets: use these for loan and savings word problems.