$\"\"$ $\"\"$

The equation is $\"\"$ .

According to division property of equality: Divide each side by 26.

$\"\"$

$\"\"$ (Cancel common terms)

$\"\"$ (Divide: $\"\"$ )

$\"\"$ (Multiply each side by negative one)

$\"\"$ (Product of two same signs is positive) $\"\"$

Check:

To check the solution, substitute $\"\"$ in original equation.

$\"\"$

$\"\"$ (Multiply: $\"\"$ )

Compare the values, the equation is true. The solution is $\"\"$ . $\"\"$

The value of $\"\"$ .