1. Let's start by understanding what it means to apply a formula in math appropriately. 2. A formula is a mathematical rule or relationship expressed using symbols and variables. 3. To apply a formula correctly, first identify the variables involved and what values you have. 4. Substitute the known values into the formula carefully, making sure each variable is replaced with the correct number. 5. Follow the order of operations (PEMDAS: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction) when simplifying the expression. 6. Perform all calculations step-by-step to avoid mistakes. 7. Finally, interpret the result in the context of the problem to ensure it makes sense. Example: If the formula is for the area of a rectangle, $A = l \times w$, and you know the length $l=5$ and width $w=3$, then substitute to get $A = 5 \times 3 = 15$. This means the area is 15 square units. Remember, always double-check your substitutions and calculations to apply formulas correctly.