Step 1. You must write down/ underline all the numbers given in the problem.
Step2. Identify all the unknown variable such as x, y, a, b [those are the most common ones].
Step 3 Identify what sign of operation your working with... It can be +,-,×,÷.
Step 3 write down all your terms on the LHS of the equation.
Step 4. Equate all the constant on the RHS of the equation. If the constant was negative It would be positive and vic versa
Step. Solve your problem