Question

5b - 4 = 2b + 17

b =

Answer 1

5b - 4 = 2b + 17

subtract 2b from both sides

3b - 4 = 17

add 4 to both sides

3b = 21

divide both sides by 3

b = 7

answer

b = 7

Answer 2

Hey!

Here is the equation:

`5b - 4 = 2b + 17`

Add 4 to leave 5b by itself. It becomes:

`5b = 2b + 21`

Subtract 5b from 2b to leave only 1 variable. It becomes:

`3b = 21`

Divide by 3 to leave b by itself

`(3b)/(3) = (21)/(3)`

It becomes:

`\framebox{b = 7}`