Translating word problems into math can be hard, but I have found some helpful tips for Year 7 students. Here are some easy steps to follow:

1. Read Carefully: First, read the problem a few times. This will help you find the important information.

2. Highlight Key Terms: Look for important words that show what math operation to use. For example:

   • "total" usually means you need to add ($+$)
   • "difference" means to subtract ($-$)
   • "product" means to multiply ($\times$)
   • "quotient" means to divide ($\div$)

3. Break It Down: Rewrite the problem in simpler words. Figure out what the question is asking and what numbers you have.

4. Use a Variable: If the problem has something you don’t know, you can use a letter like $x$ to stand for that unknown number.

5. Write It Out: Finally, turn the problem into a math expression. For example, if the problem says, "John has 5 more apples than Sarah," you can write this as $x + 5$.

By following these steps, solving word problems will be a lot easier!