Final answer:
To find the original number of pencils in Don's box, we add the used pencils (53) to the remaining pencils (118), leading to a total of 171 pencils.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student wants to write an equation to find out how many colored pencils were in the box before Don started drawing. Since Don used 53 pencils and then had 118 left, we can set up the equation as follows:
Initial pencils = Pencils used + Pencils left
Let x represent the initial number of pencils in the box. The equation would then be:
x = 53 + 118
To find out x, we simply add 53 and 118 together:
x = 171
So, there were originally 171 colored pencils in the box before Don started drawing.