To solve the equation [tex]\( 26x = 74 \)[/tex], we need to isolate the variable [tex]\( x \)[/tex]. Let's go through the steps to solve this equation step-by-step.
1. Equation Given:
[tex]\[
26x = 74
\][/tex]
2. Objective:
We want to isolate [tex]\( x \)[/tex], which means getting [tex]\( x \)[/tex] by itself on one side of the equation.
3. Isolating [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
- To isolate [tex]\( x \)[/tex], we need to eliminate the coefficient of [tex]\( 26 \)[/tex] that is currently multiplying [tex]\( x \)[/tex].
4. Operation Needed:
- Since [tex]\( 26 \)[/tex] is multiplying [tex]\( x \)[/tex], we need to perform the opposite operation of multiplication, which is division.
- We divide both sides of the equation by [tex]\( 26 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
\frac{26x}{26} = \frac{74}{26}
\][/tex]
5. Simplifying:
- On the left side, [tex]\( 26 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( 26 \)[/tex] cancel out, leaving us with [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
x = \frac{74}{26}
\][/tex]
Thus, the best way to solve the equation [tex]\( 26x = 74 \)[/tex] is to divide both sides by [tex]\( 26 \)[/tex].
Therefore, the correct answer choice is:
A. Divide both sides by 26.
