Alright, let's solve this math problem step by step. First, we have the number 496. Next, we see the multiplication sign, which means we need to multiply something. And what are we multiplying it by? We multiply it by 26. So, we're going to take the number 496 and add it to itself 26 times.
Step 1: 0 + 496 = 496
Step 2: 496 + 496 = 992
Step 3: 992 + 496 = 1488
Step 4: 1488 + 496 = 1984
Step 5: 1984 + 496 = 2480
Step 6: 2480 + 496 = 2976
Step 7: 2976 + 496 = 3472
Step 8: 3472 + 496 = 3968
Step 9: 3968 + 496 = 4464
Step 10: 4464 + 496 = 4960
Step 11: 4960 + 496 = 5456
Step 12: 5456 + 496 = 5952
Step 13: 5952 + 496 = 6448
Step 14: 6448 + 496 = 6944
Step 15: 6944 + 496 = 7440
Step 16: 7440 + 496 = 7936
Step 17: 7936 + 496 = 8432
Step 18: 8432 + 496 = 8928
Step 19: 8928 + 496 = 9424
Step 20: 9424 + 496 = 9920
Step 21: 9920 + 496 = 10416
Step 22: 10416 + 496 = 10912
Step 23: 10912 + 496 = 11408
Step 24: 11408 + 496 = 11904
Step 25: 11904 + 496 = 12400
Step 26: 12400 + 496 = 12896

So, 496*26 = 12896