Word problems require translating narrative to mathematical form. Reading strategy: identify unknowns, relationships, constraints, objective. Define variables clearly: let x = what?. Write equations from relationships: "twice as much" means 2x, "total of" means sum. Shortcut: create tables for structured problems like work-rate, mixture. Common traps: wrong variable definition, missing constraints, unit mismatches. Exam tips: check reasonableness of answer, read problem twice carefully. Time-saving: categorize by type (age, distance, work, mixture, percentage). Applications: business scenarios, comparison problems, optimization. Verification: substitute answer back into problem context. Units matter: convert consistently before solving. Practice distinguishing between given information and what needs finding. Multiple-step problems: solve intermediate equations first. Logical reasoning helps identify key relationships. Build problem-solving habits systematically.