READ TWICE
Read the question stem twice — the trap is usually in the last line
UNIT CHECK
Always verify units match — minutes vs hours, feet vs miles
PLUG BACK IN
Substitute your answer into the original problem to verify
TOTAL ≠ CHANGE
"How much more" = difference, not the new total
% OF WHAT
Percent always needs a base — find what the "of" refers to
RATE × TIME
Distance = Rate × Time · Work = Rate × Time
SLOPE MEANING
In context, slope = rate of change ($ per unit, miles per hour)
SYSTEM TRICK
Add/subtract equations to eliminate one variable quickly