To solve the equation [tex]\(26x = 74\)[/tex], we need to isolate [tex]\(x\)[/tex], which means we need to get [tex]\(x\)[/tex] by itself on one side of the equation. Here are the steps:
1. Equation: [tex]\(26x = 74\)[/tex]
2. Goal: Isolate [tex]\(x\)[/tex].
3. To isolate [tex]\(x\)[/tex], we need to eliminate the coefficient of [tex]\(x\)[/tex], which is 26. The coefficient is currently multiplying [tex]\(x\)[/tex]. The inverse operation of multiplication is division.
4. Step: Divide both sides of the equation by 26.
5. Operation:
[tex]\[
\frac{26x}{26} = \frac{74}{26}
\][/tex]
6. Simplifying both sides:
[tex]\[
x = 2.8461538461538463
\][/tex]
Thus, the best description of how to solve [tex]\(26x = 74\)[/tex] is:
D. Divide both sides by 26.
