Step-by-step explanation: In this problem, we want to get <em>w</em> by itself on one side of the equation. Since we have <em>14 + W</em>, in order to get <em>w</em> by itself, we must subtract 14 from the left side of the equation.
If we subtract 14 from the left side of the equation, we must also subtract 14 from the right side of the equation. So on the left, +14 and -14 cancel each other and on the right, 26 - 14 simplifies to 12 so <em>w = 12</em>.
To check our answer, we substitute a 12 back in for <em>w </em>in the original equation and we have 14 + (12) = 26 or 26 = 26 which is a true statement so the answer checks.
