Read the word problem for comprehension. Read the problem again for understanding.
Underline the question by identifying what the question wants to know. Locate the question mark which is usually at the end of the word problem and move pencil backward, underlining the words, only stopping at the next punctuation mark.
Read only the underlined question and ask yourself what the problem wants to know.
Locate the code words within the word problem which indicate the order of operation which is necessary to solve the problem. Recall that words like "sum," "add," and "plus" indicate addition, while "difference," "change," and "less" indicate subtraction. Circle code words and any important numeric information needed to solve the problem. Cross out information which is not necessary or extra information meant to confuse the problem solver.
Draw a diagram to show how to solve the problem; pictures help to visualize the problem-solving process.
Write the equation necessary to solve the problem.
Solve the word problem.