The first step in solving a word problem is always to read the problem. You need to be able to translate words into mathematical symbols, focusing on keywords that indicate the mathematical procedures required to solve the problem — both the operation and the order of the expression. Some common examples of addition keywords are as follows: SUM OF ________ AND ________TOTAL OF _______ AND _________________ PLUS _________________ INCREASED BY __________GAINRAISEMOREINCREASE OF