Solve the Equation: Finding the Missing Number in -8 + ? = 16-(-2)

Remember the rule:

$-(-x)=+$

Write the exercise in the appropriate form:

$-8+?=16+2$

Solve:

$-8+?=18$

Add 8 to both sides in order to zero out the left side:

$-8+?+8=18+8$

$-8+8=0$

Therefore:

$0+?=26$

$?=26$