Answer :

take 8 from both sides

26=8 + v
18 = v
Really????

OK . . . here goes . . .

*subtract 8 from both sides . . .why you say? . . .oh, because once you do, then you'll have v isolated on one side of the equation and everything else on the other . . and another thing to note . . .why both sides? . . .  simply because what you do to one side of the equals sign, you must do to the other side as well . . you know, just to be fair and all . . .

26 - 8 = 8 + v - 8

18 = v

Amazing! I know . . .