| Percent or ratio problem | Convert to fraction if clean: 12.5% = 1/8, 16.67% = 1/6 |
| Change from old to new | Always divide by original value |
| "By what percent is A more than B?" | (A - B) / B * 100 |
| "By what percent is A less than B?" | (B - A) / B * 100 |
| Options are far apart | Approximate first, calculate only if close |
| Big numbers | Factor, cancel, or use percentages before multiplying |
| Word problem | Write only variables needed for answer |
| Geometry | Draw a clean diagram and mark equal angles/lengths |
| Number system | Prime factorize first when divisibility, factors, LCM/HCF appear |
| Counting/probability | Count total cases first, then favorable cases |