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Common Core Math6th GradeExpressions & Equations

6.EE.7: Solve One-Step Equations

Also written as 6.EE.B.7 and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.EE.B.7 · Cluster: Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.

Make a 6.EE.7 WorksheetAll 29 6th Grade Math Standards

The Official Wording

Solve real-world and mathematical problems by writing and solving equations of the form x + p = q and px = q for cases in which p, q and x are all nonnegative rational numbers.

Common Core State Standards, Grade 6, Expressions & Equations · Read it at the source · Checked October 14, 2026

What 6.EE.7 Means in Plain English

Sixth graders write and solve equations in one move. A jacket plus $12 shipping comes to $50: x + 12 = 50, so subtract 12 from both sides and x = 38. Three notebooks cost $7.20: 3n = 7.20, so divide both sides by 3 and n = 2.40.

The numbers need not be whole: 2/3 of a tank is 10 gallons gives (2/3)x = 10, so x = 15. Students already guessed and checked in 6.EE.5. Now they undo the operation. In 7th grade the equations gain a second step, px + q = r (7.EE.4).

6.EE.7 I Can Statements

  • I can write a one-step equation for a word problem.
  • I can solve x + p = q by subtracting p from both sides.
  • I can solve px = q with fractions and decimals too.

6.EE.7 Worked Example

A decimal price, a multiplication equation, and the solving move written as a question about undoing.

Problem

Four friends split a $9.80 pizza equally. Write and solve an equation to find what each friend pays.

Solving 4m = 9.80 from a word problem
  1. Name the unknown and write the equation. Four equal shares of m dollars make 9.80.4m = 9.80
  2. Ask what was done to m: it was multiplied by 4. Undo that by dividing both sides by 4, so the equation stays balanced.4m ÷ 4 = 9.80 ÷ 4
  3. Divide the decimal: 9.80 ÷ 4. Think 8 ÷ 4 = 2 and 1.80 ÷ 4 = 0.45.m = 2.45
  4. Answer the question in words, with the unit.Each friend pays $2.45
Answerm = 2.45, so each friend pays $2.45

Check it: Substitute back: 4 × 2.45 = 9.80, the price of the pizza. Estimation agrees too: a $10 pizza split four ways is about $2.50.

Common Mistakes with 6.EE.7

Doing the operation instead of undoing it

x + 12 = 50, so x = 62

Try this: Ask what happened to x (12 was added) and do the opposite to both sides: 50 - 12 = 38. Then check 38 + 12.

Changing one side only

3n = 7.20, so 3n ÷ 3 = 7.20, n = 7.20

Try this: Draw a balance scale under the equation. Whatever happens to the left pan happens to the right: 7.20 ÷ 3 = 2.40.

Dividing by a fraction the wrong way

(2/3)x = 10, so x = 10 × 2/3 = 6 2/3

Try this: Multiply both sides by the reciprocal, 3/2, so the coefficient becomes 1: x = 10 × 3/2 = 15. Check: 2/3 of 15 is 10.

Where 6.EE.7 Fits

Comes Before4.OA.3Solve multi-step word problems with a letter standing for the unknown.6.NS.1Divide fractions by fractions, the move behind solving (2/3)x = 10.6.NS.3Add, subtract, multiply and divide multi-digit decimals fluently.
Alongside6.EE.5Check a solution by substituting it back.6.EE.6Choose a variable and write the expression first.
Comes Next7.EE.4Solve two-step equations like px + q = r and inequalities like px + q > r.8.EE.7Solve linear equations in one variable with variables on both sides.

Practice 6.EE.7

Math Worksheet GeneratorFree ToolOne-step equation pages in the two forms the standard names, x + p = q and px = q, with whole numbers, decimals or fractions, plus the answer key.One-step equationsDecimals and fractionsAnswer key
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Word Problem GeneratorFree ToolStory problems that each hide a single one-step equation, so writing the equation is the work, not only solving it.One-step equationsGrade 6
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Quick Check

  1. Solve y + 4.5 = 11.
  2. Solve 7k = 91.
  3. Nine tickets cost $67.50 in total. Write an equation and find the price of one ticket.

6.EE.7: Other Names

6.EE.76.EE.B.7CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.EE.B.7

Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved. Official wording from the Common Core State Standards PDFs at corestandards.org, last checked October 14, 2026. The explanation, I can statements, example, mistakes and practice on this page are EMStudio’s own, written beside the official wording. They are not part of the standard.