Emily is making bead necklaces for her 44 friends. She made 26 necklaces and each necklace takes 2 beads. How many beads did Emily have?
Emily has $x$ beads. 
She made $y$ necklaces. 
Each necklace takes $z$ beads. 

We know that $y = 26$ and $z = 2$. 

We need to find $x$. 

We can write an equation: $x = yz$. 

We know that $y = 26$ and $z = 2$. 

Therefore, $x = 26 \cdot 2 = 52$. 

Emily had 52 beads.