1. Let's start by stating the problem: We want to describe the algebraic equation $10x - 49 = 51$ using a real-life situation. 2. The equation $10x - 49 = 51$ means that if you take 10 times a number $x$ and subtract 49, you get 51. 3. A common real-life example could be: Imagine you have $x$ boxes, each containing 10 candies. You gave away 49 candies, and now you have 51 candies left. 4. The equation models this situation: Total candies initially = $10x$, candies given away = 49, candies left = 51. 5. To find how many boxes $x$ you had, solve the equation: $$10x - 49 = 51$$ 6. Add 49 to both sides: $$10x - \cancel{49} + 49 = 51 + 49$$ $$10x = 100$$ 7. Divide both sides by 10: $$\frac{10x}{\cancel{10}} = \frac{100}{10}$$ $$x = 10$$ 8. So, you had 10 boxes of candies initially. This example shows how algebraic expressions can represent real-world situations involving quantities, changes, and totals.