Word problems are the #1 cause of math anxiety. You will now learn the trick to demolish them.

The trick is this: Do NOT try to solve the problem. Not at first.

Step 1: Read the problem once to understand the story. Who are the characters? What is happening?

Step 2: Read it again, but this time, you are a detective with a highlighter. Your only job is to find the numbers and the keywords.

Step 3: Translate the keywords into operations. 'Sum' means '+'. 'Difference' means '-'. 'Of' often means '*'.

Step 4: Identify the ULTIMATE UNKNOWN. What is the one thing they are torturing you to find? That is 'x'.

Step 5: Translate the story's sentences into a single mathematical equation using your 'x' and your operations.

Notice you still haven't tried to solve it. You have simply translated it from English to Algebra.

Once it's an equation, the hard part is over. You are no longer in a confusing story; you are on solid ground.

The trick isn't a math trick. It's a translation trick. It's a way to turn fear into confidence. Now go demolish one.