Answer:
x = 15
Step-by-step explanation:
Subtract 11 from both sides of the equation:
x +11 -11 = 26 -11
x = 15
_____
You know from your knowledge of basic math facts that ...
15 + 11 = 26
Comparing to ...
x + 11 = 26
we see that x = 15.
Even though you can solve these easily in your head, it is nice to know that the rules of algebra give methods for solving this sort of equation. You can add or subtract the same number from both sides of the equation and it will remain a true algebraic statement. Above, we had 11 on the side of the equal sign with the variable. To get rid of it, we subtract 11--but we must do that to both sides of the equation.
