1. assign and state a_n or b_n or whatever you need to solve, or for comparison tests list b_n and how you already know it's con/div (p-series, etc)2. perform all calculations/substitutions/ whatever3. give the result as p or L or whatever wewere testing for, and state if it is or = whatwe were testing for4. restate beginning equation, state div/con/ cond/abs5. state the test you used