Identifying important details in word problems can be tricky sometimes, but there are a few ways to make it easier.

1. Read Carefully: Begin by reading the problem all the way through. Look for words that tell you what to do, like "total," "difference," or "product."

2. Highlight Variables: Choose a letter to represent the unknowns. For example, if the problem talks about apples ($x$) and oranges ($y$), write those down.

3. Translate into Equations: Turn the relationships in the problem into math equations. For example, if the problem says, "Twice the number of apples plus three equals the number of oranges," you can write it like this:
   $2x + 3 = y.$

4. Check with Examples: If you’re confused, try using some simple numbers to see if they work with the problem.

Using these steps can make it easier to solve word problems and understand how to turn them into equations. Have fun with it!