First we have to Distribute 2(x + 5)= 26 When Distributed: 2*x= 2x + 2*5=10 No we lets bring it down 2x+10=26 Now subtract the 10-10 and you get 0. Subtract 26-10= 16 Now bring the equation down 2x=16 Then we divide both sides by 2 and that would give us 8 as the answer :)