Two taps running together fill a tank in 12 hours. If $x$ and $y$ are the hours each tap would take on its own, which equation correctly describes the situation?

Most Class 10 questions on this topic are word problems. The skill is in TRANSLATION:

1. Identify the two unknowns; assign variables (e.g., let $x$ = age of A, $y$ = age of B).
2. Write two equations from the two given pieces of information.
3. Solve by your preferred method.

**Common types**:
- **Age problems**: 'Father is twice as old as son. Five years ago father was three times. Find ages.'
- **Number problems**: 'A two-digit number plus its reverse is 99...'
- **Distance/time/speed**: 'Boat in still water speeds, downstream/upstream rates...'
- **Cost problems**: 'Cost of pencils and pens.'
- **Fraction problems**: 'A fraction becomes 1/2 when 1 is added to numerator and 2 is subtracted from denominator...'

Always CHECK by substituting solution back into the original word problem (not just the equations).