Translating word problems

Most "word problem" pain comes from skipping the translation step. Slow down and convert each phrase into a piece of algebra.

| English | Algebra | |---|---| | "five more than x" | x + 5 | | "twice a number" | 2n | | "the sum of x and y" | x + y | | "is" / "equals" | = | | "% of" | multiply by the decimal |

Example

A pizza costs $8 plus $2 per topping. Maya paid $16. How many toppings did she order?

Translate: 8 + 2t = 16. Solve: t = 4.

That is the entire skill: read, translate, solve, sanity check.