The "U" in CUBES stands for "Underline the question." The question (often at the end of the problem) tells you exactly what you need to find. For example: "How many total apples did Maria buy?" "What is the difference in height between the two buildings?" "How much change will she receive?" If you do not know what the question is asking, you cannot solve the problem correctly! Many students start calculating too quickly without understanding the goal. Always find and underline the question first.

The word "left" (or "left over," "remaining") is a key subtraction signal. It means you are removing something from the original amount. Here: 45 - 12 = 33 stickers left. Other subtraction signals include "difference" (compare two amounts), "how many more" (compare), "fewer than" (compare), and "less than." Always box these key math words before you start solving – they tell you what operation to use!

In this problem, "each" signals division because you are splitting the total (24 muffins) into equal groups of size 6. 24 ÷ 6 = 4 boxes. However, be careful – "each" can sometimes signal multiplication! For example: "There are 4 boxes with 6 muffins each" means 4 × 6 = 24 muffins total. The difference: if you know the total and the group size, you divide to find number of groups. If you know the number of groups and group size, you multiply to find total. Context matters!

Step 1: Find the total cost of his purchase: $45 + $30 = $75. Step 2: Subtract the total from the $100 bill: $100 - $75 = $25 change. Two-step problems often combine addition and subtraction (like this one), multiplication and division, or multiplication and addition. Always break the problem into smaller parts. Ask yourself: "What do I need to find first? What do I need to find next?" Writing down intermediate answers helps you stay organized.

Step 1 (Multiplication): Total chairs needed = 6 × 25 = 150 chairs. Step 2 (Subtraction): Additional chairs needed = 150 - 40 = 110 chairs. This problem combines multiplication (to find total needed) and subtraction (to find what remains to buy). Notice that you cannot just multiply 6 × 25 and stop – you would be ignoring the 40 chairs they already have. Always read the entire problem carefully before starting!

Distance = Rate × Time = 55 miles per hour × 3 hours = 165 miles. The "hours" units cancel out, leaving miles. This formula works for any rate problem: if you know any two of the three variables, you can find the third. Rearranged: Rate = Distance ÷ Time (how fast you are going), and Time = Distance ÷ Rate (how long it will take). For example, to find how long to drive 300 miles at 60 mph: 300 ÷ 60 = 5 hours. This formula appears constantly in travel, physics, and everyday life.

Unit rate = total cost ÷ number of units = $7.80 ÷ 12 = $0.65 per soda. Unit rates allow you to compare prices: which is cheaper – a 12-pack for $7.80 ($0.65 each) or a 6-pack for $4.20 ($0.70 each)? The 12-pack is cheaper per soda. Unit rates help you be a smart shopper! Also used for speed (miles per hour), fuel efficiency (miles per gallon), pay rate (dollars per hour), and many other real-world situations.

The equation is: Part = Percent × Whole. Here, Part (bus riders) = 150, Percent = 30% = 0.30, Whole = ?. So 150 = 0.30 × Whole. To solve for Whole, divide both sides by 0.30: Whole = 150 ÷ 0.30 = 500 students. Notice: if you know the part and the percent, divide to find the whole. If you know the whole and the percent, multiply to find the part. If you know the part and the whole, divide to find the percent (then multiply by 100 to get %).

Discount word problems require two steps. Step 1: Calculate the discount amount: 20% of $80 = 0.20 × 80 = $16. Step 2: Subtract the discount from the original price: $80 - $16 = $64 sale price. Alternatively, you can find the sale price directly: if it is 20% off, you pay 80% of the original price: 0.80 × $80 = $64. Both methods work. Always read carefully – some problems ask for the discount amount, others ask for the sale price. Know what the question is asking!

The problem asks for fencing, which goes around the edge of the garden. That is perimeter, not area. Perimeter of rectangle = 2 × (length + width) = 2 × (15 + 10) = 2 × 25 = 50 feet. If the problem asked for the amount of grass seed to cover the garden, that would be area (length × width = 150 square feet). Always identify: are you measuring around (perimeter, 1D) or inside (area, 2D)? Fencing, border, frame, outline = perimeter. Carpet, paint, seed, cover = area. This distinction is critical!