To solve word problems that involve linear equations, you can follow these simple steps:

1. Read Carefully: Make sure you understand what the problem is asking. Look for important words like "total," "per," and "each."

2. Identify Variables: Use letters to represent unknown amounts. For example, let $x$ stand for the number of apples.

3. Translate Words into Equations: Change the words from the problem into a math equation. If a dozen apples costs $12, you can say:
   $12 = 12x$

4. Solve the Equation: Use basic algebra to find out what your variable means.

5. Check Your Solution: Put the number you found back into the problem to see if it makes sense.

Following these steps will help you solve problems more easily!