Expressions using Letter-Numbers
CBSE · Class 7 · Mathematics
NCERT Solutions for Expressions using Letter-Numbers — CBSE Class 7 Mathematics.
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Figure it Out (Perimeter Formulas and Basic Expressions)
1aWrite the formula for the perimeter of a triangle with all sides equal.Show solution
Concept: Perimeter = sum of all sides.
Working:
Formula:
1bWrite the formula for the perimeter of a regular pentagon.Show solution
Concept: Perimeter = number of sides × side length.
Working:
Formula:
1cWrite the formula for the perimeter of a regular hexagon.Show solution
Concept: Perimeter = number of sides × side length.
Working:
Formula:
2Munirathna has a 20 m long pipe. He joins another pipe of some length metres to this one. Give the expression for the combined length of the pipe.Show solution
Concept: Combined length = sum of the two lengths.
Working:
Answer: The expression for the combined length is metres.
3What is the total amount Krithika has, if she has the following numbers of notes of ₹100, ₹20 and ₹5? Complete the table.Show solution
Row 1: 3 notes of ₹100, 5 notes of ₹20, 6 notes of ₹5.
Row 2: Expression given:
So: 6 notes of ₹100, 4 notes of ₹20, 3 notes of ₹5.
Row 3: 8 notes of ₹100, 4 notes of ₹20, notes of ₹5.
Row 4: notes of ₹100, notes of ₹20, notes of ₹5.
Completed Table:
| No. of ₹100 notes | No. of ₹20 notes | No. of ₹5 notes | Expression and total amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | 6 | |
| 6 | 4 | 3 | |
| 8 | 4 | | |
| | | | |
4Venkatalakshmi owns a flour mill. It takes 10 seconds for the roller mill to start running. Once running, each kg of grain takes 8 seconds to grind. Which expression describes the time taken to grind kg of grain (machine is off initially)?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e) Show solution
Concept: Total time = start-up time + (time per kg × number of kg)
Correct option: (d)
Justification: The machine first takes a fixed 10 seconds to start. Then it grinds kg at 8 seconds per kg, giving seconds of grinding. Total = seconds.
5aWrite an algebraic expression for: 5 more than a number.Show solution
Expression:
5bWrite an algebraic expression for: 4 less than a number.Show solution
Expression:
5cWrite an algebraic expression for: 2 less than 13 times a number.Show solution
Working: 13 times the number = ; 2 less than that = .
Expression:
5dWrite an algebraic expression for: 13 less than 2 times a number.Show solution
Working: 2 times the number = ; 13 less than that = .
Expression:
6aDescribe a situation corresponding to the algebraic expression .Show solution
Another example: A box has packets of 8 biscuits each and packets of 3 biscuits each. The total number of biscuits is .
6bDescribe a situation corresponding to the algebraic expression .Show solution
7In a calendar month, if any grid of dates is chosen, write expressions for the dates in the blank cells if the bottom middle cell has date .Show solution
Concept: In a calendar, dates in the same column differ by 7 (one week). Dates in the same row differ by 1.
The grid has 2 rows and 3 columns.
- Bottom row: left cell = , middle cell = , right cell =
- Top row (one week earlier): left cell = , middle cell = , right cell =
Completed grid:
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| | | |
The blank cell in the bottom row (right of ) is , and the top row cells are , , respectively.
Revisiting Arithmetic Expressions
1Find the value of .Show solution
2Find the value of .Show solution
3Find the value of .Show solution
4Find the value of .Show solution
5Find the value of .Show solution
6Find the value of .Show solution
7Find the value of .Show solution
Figure it Out (Simplification of Algebraic Expressions)
1Add the numbers in each picture. Write their corresponding expressions and simplify them. (Note: The figures are not visible, but the method is described.)Show solution
1. Identify all the numbers/letter-numbers in the picture.
2. Write the expression by adding all of them.
3. Group like terms together (numbers with numbers, same letter-numbers together).
4. Simplify by combining like terms.
Example approach: If a picture contains values , , , , , :
Trying different orders of addition (row-wise, column-wise, diagonal) should give the same simplified result, demonstrating that the order of addition does not change the sum.
2aSimplify: and .Show solution
Expression 2:
2bSimplify: .Show solution
2cSimplify: .Show solution
2dSimplify: .Show solution
2eSimplify: .Show solution
2fSimplify: .Show solution
2gSimplify: .Show solution
2hSimplify: .Show solution
2iSimplify: .Show solution
2jSimplify: .Show solution
2kSimplify: .Show solution
Mind the Mistake, Mend the Mistake
1Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
Correct simplest form: is already in its simplest form. It cannot be simplified further.
2Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
This is correct. . ✓
3Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
Correct working:
Correct simplest form:
4Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
Correct working:
Correct simplest form:
5Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
Correct working:
Correct simplest form:
6Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
Correct working:
Correct simplest form:
7Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
Correct working:
Correct simplest form:
8Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
Mistake identified: The student wrote instead of . They forgot to subtract from .
Correct simplest form:
9Is the simplification correct? If not, find the correct simplest form.Show solution
The distribution is correct, but the expression is not in its simplest form since and are like terms.
Simplifying further:
Correct simplest form:
Figure it Out (Word Problems and Applications)
1One plate of Jowar roti costs ₹30 and one plate of Pulao costs ₹20. If plates of Jowar roti and plates of pulao were ordered in a day, which expression(s) describe the total amount in rupees earned that day?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e) Show solution
Working:
- Amount from Jowar roti =
- Amount from Pulao =
- Total =
Correct option: (a)
Justification: Option (b) is wrong because it multiplies the total price by total plates, mixing up the two items. Option (c) swaps the prices. Options (d) and (e) are incorrect operations. Only (a) correctly multiplies each item's price by its respective quantity and adds them.
2Pushpita sells champak and marigold flowers. customers only bought champak, customers only bought marigold, and customers bought both. She gave a tiny national flag to every customer. How many flags did she give away?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f) Show solution
Concept: Each customer (regardless of what they bought) gets exactly one flag.
Working: Total number of customers = customers who bought only champak + customers who bought only marigold + customers who bought both
So total flags given = .
Correct option: (a)
Justification: Every customer gets exactly one flag. The total number of customers is . Option (b) would be correct if customers each got 2 flags, which is not the case.
3aA snail climbs up cm during the day and slips down cm during the night. This happens for 10 days and 10 nights. Write an expression describing how far away the snail is from its starting position.Show solution
Working:
- Total upward movement in 10 days = cm
- Total downward slip in 10 nights = cm
- Net distance from starting position = cm
Expression: cm (or equivalently cm)
This can also be written as using the distributive property.
3bWhat can we say about the snail's movement if d > u?Show solution
Analysis:
- Net movement per cycle =
- Since d > u, we have u - d < 0
- After 10 cycles: 10(u - d) < 0
Conclusion: The snail moves downward (below its starting position) overall. It ends up farther down than where it started. The snail is actually going deeper into the well rather than climbing out.
4Radha cycles 5 km every day in the first week. Every week she increases the daily distance by km. How many kilometers would Radha have cycled after 3 weeks?Show solution
Working:
- Week 1: Daily distance = 5 km; Days in a week = 7; Distance in Week 1 = km
- Week 2: Daily distance = km; Distance in Week 2 = km
- Week 3: Daily distance = km; Distance in Week 3 = km
Total distance after 3 weeks:
Answer: Radha would have cycled km after 3 weeks.
5In the figure, observe how the expression becomes along one path. Fill in the missing blanks on the remaining paths. (Figure not fully visible — solve based on the described path.)Show solution
Note: The figure is not fully visible. Based on the described transformation from to :
So one path could be:
Another path:
Another path:
General principle: Different sequences of operations can lead to the same final expression, demonstrating the flexibility of algebraic manipulation.
6aA local train from Yahapur to Vahapur stops at three stations at equal distances. The travel time between consecutive stations is minutes. The train stops for 2 minutes at each of the three intermediate stations. If , what is the time taken to travel from Yahapur to Vahapur?Show solution
Diagram: Yahapur — Station 1 — Station 2 — Station 3 — Vahapur
There are 4 travel segments (between 5 points) and 3 stops.
Working:
- Total travel time = minutes
- Total stop time = minutes
- Total time = minutes
Answer: 22 minutes.
6bWhat is the algebraic expression for the time taken to travel from Yahapur to Vahapur?Show solution
Diagram: Yahapur — [t] — St.1 — [t] — St.2 — [t] — St.3 — [t] — Vahapur
- Number of travel segments = 4
- Number of stops = 3
Expression:
Answer: The algebraic expression is minutes.
7aSimplify: .Show solution
7bSimplify: .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
7cSimplify: .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
7dSimplify: .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
7eSimplify: .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
7fSimplify: .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
8aAdd: and .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
8bAdd: and .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
8cAdd: and .Show solution
Writing the sum:
Grouping like terms:
8dAdd: and .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
8eAdd: and .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
8fAdd: and .Show solution
Grouping like terms:
9aSubtract from .Show solution
Opening the bracket:
Grouping like terms:
9bSubtract from .Show solution
Opening the bracket:
Grouping like terms:
9cSubtract from .Show solution
Opening the bracket:
Grouping like terms:
9dSubtract from .Show solution
Working:
Opening the bracket:
Grouping like terms:
9eSubtract from .Show solution
Opening the bracket:
Grouping like terms:
9fSubtract from .Show solution
Opening the bracket:
Grouping like terms:
10aDescribe a situation corresponding to the algebraic expression .Show solution
Another situation: A box contains packets with 8 pens each and packets with 3 pens each. The total number of pens is .
10bDescribe a situation corresponding to the algebraic expression .Show solution
One possible situation: A shopkeeper had kg of rice. He sold kg of rice. The remaining rice is kg.
Another situation: A school has 15 rows of students each. 2 rows of students each went for a trip. The number of students remaining is .
11A straight rope cut once gives 2 pieces. Folded once and cut gives 3 pieces. Find the number of pieces if the rope is folded 10 times and cut. What is the expression for the number of pieces when the rope is folded times and cut?Show solution
| Folds | Pieces |
|---|---|
| 0 (no fold, 1 cut) | 2 |
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 9 |
Pattern: When folded times, the rope has layers. Cutting through all layers gives cuts, producing pieces.
Verification:
- : ✓
- : ✓
- : ✓
For folds:
General expression: Number of pieces when folded times =
12Look at the matchstick pattern for squares. How many matchsticks are required to make 10 such squares? How many are required to make squares?Show solution
- 1 square: 4 matchsticks
- 2 squares: 7 matchsticks (each new square shares one side with the previous)
- 3 squares: 10 matchsticks
- Each additional square adds 3 matchsticks.
Pattern: For squares:
Verification:
- : ✓
- : ✓
- : ✓
For 10 squares:
General formula: Number of matchsticks for squares
13A traffic signal changes colours in a sequence. Find the colour at positions 90, 190, and 343. Write expressions to describe the positions for each colour. (Note: The figure shows a repeating sequence — assuming the standard sequence: Red, Yellow, Green repeating, i.e., period 3.)Show solution
Finding colours using remainder when divided by 3:
Position 90:
Remainder 0 corresponds to position 3 → Green
Position 190:
Remainder 1 corresponds to position 1 → Red
Position 343:
Remainder 1 corresponds to position 1 → Red
Expressions for positions of each colour (where is any whole number, ):
- Red (position 1, 4, 7, ...):
- Yellow (position 2, 5, 8, ...):
- Green (position 3, 6, 9, ...): or (for )
14Observe the pattern of squares. How many squares will be there in Step 4, Step 10, Step 50? Write a general formula. How would the formula change if we want to count the number of vertices of all the squares?Show solution
Number of squares at Step :
- Step 4: squares
- Step 10: squares
- Step 50: squares
General formula: Number of squares at Step =
Number of vertices: Each unit square has 4 vertices, but vertices are shared between adjacent squares. For a grid of squares, the number of vertices (grid points) = .
Formula for vertices:
*Note: If the pattern in the figure is different (e.g., a staircase or cross), the formula would change accordingly. The method remains the same — observe the pattern, find the rule, and express it algebraically.*
15aNumbers are written in a 4-column grid (1,2,3,4 in row 1; 5,6,7,8 in row 2; etc.). Give expressions to generate all the numbers in each column (1, 2, 3, 4).Show solution
- Row 1: 1, 2, 3, 4
- Row 2: 5, 6, 7, 8
- Row 3: 9, 10, 11, 12
- Row : , , ,
Expressions for each column (where ):
- Column 1: → gives 1, 5, 9, 13, ...
- Column 2: → gives 2, 6, 10, 14, ...
- Column 3: → gives 3, 7, 11, 15, ...
- Column 4: → gives 4, 8, 12, 16, ...
15bIn which row and column will the following numbers appear: (i) 124, (ii) 147, (iii) 201?Show solution
- The quotient (rounded up) gives the row number.
- The remainder tells the column: remainder 1 → Col 1, remainder 2 → Col 2, remainder 3 → Col 3, remainder 0 → Col 4.
(i) 124:
Row = 31, Column = 4
(ii) 147:
Row = 37, Column = 3
(iii) 201:
Row = 51, Column = 1
15cWhat number appears in row and column ?Show solution
- Row starts with the number .
- Column is positions after the start of the row.
Number at row , column :
Verification:
- Row 1, Col 1: ✓
- Row 2, Col 3: ✓
- Row 3, Col 4: ✓
Answer: The number at row and column is (or equivalently ).
15dObserve the positions of multiples of 3 in the 4-column grid. Do you see any pattern? List other patterns you see.Show solution
3 (Row 1, Col 3), 6 (Row 2, Col 2), 9 (Row 3, Col 1), 12 (Row 3, Col 4), 15 (Row 4, Col 3), 18 (Row 5, Col 2), 21 (Row 6, Col 1), 24 (Row 6, Col 4)...
Pattern for multiples of 3: They appear in columns 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 4, ... repeating with period 4. Every 4th multiple of 3 (i.e., multiples of 12) appears in Column 4.
Other patterns observed:
1. Column 4 contains all multiples of 4 (4, 8, 12, 16, ...).
2. Column 1 contains numbers of the form (1, 5, 9, 13, ...) — numbers that give remainder 1 when divided by 4.
3. Each row contains 4 consecutive numbers.
4. Numbers in the same column differ by 4 (e.g., Column 2: 2, 6, 10, 14, ... each differing by 4).
5. Odd numbers appear in columns 1 and 3; even numbers appear in columns 2 and 4.
6. The sum of numbers in any row = .
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Sources & Official References
- NCERT Official — ncert.nic.in
- CBSE Academic — cbseacademic.nic.in
- CBSE Official — cbse.gov.in
- National Education Policy 2020 — education.gov.in
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