Expressions with Variables Worksheets, Grade 6 (6.EE.A.2) – Free PDF + Answer Key

First page of the expressions with variables practice worksheet

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PDFs print on US Letter paper. Free for classroom and home use.

Watch: Variables, Expressions, and Equations Explained | Algebra for Beginners

Key idea

Substitute in parentheses, then follow the order of operations. 4p − 2 at p = 9 → 4(9) − 2 = 36 − 2 = 34. The parentheses stop you from gluing digits together or adding out of order.

Sample problems

Evaluate 4n when n = 6.
Evaluate n − 7 when n = 15.
Evaluate 10 + 2a when a = 5.
Evaluate 3y² when y = 2. Show each step.

Common mistakes to watch for

Answered 54 — read 5x as the digits placed together. Side by side means MULTIPLY.
Answered 20 — added 2 + 3 first, then multiplied by 4. Order of operations still applies once the letter is replaced.
Answered 7 — computed (3 × 2) + 1, treating the exponent as a multiplier.

The answer key explains each one, so you can tell what a wrong answer means.

How to use this set

Teach with the slides (about 15 minutes), or watch the video together.
Practice with the worksheet. Questions climb from fluency to application to reasoning.
Check understanding with the exit ticket, and send the homework home.
Mark with the answer key — each answer shows the steps and the most likely mistake.