[tex]2(x - 1) + 3(x + 1) = 26 \\ 2x - 2 + 3x + 3 = 26 \\ 2x + 3x = 26 + 2 - 3 \\ 5x = 28 - 3 \\ 5x = 25 \: \: | \div 5 \\ x = 5[/tex]