How do you solve #11b - 17= - 3b + 39#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-06-22T01:58:27

See a solution process below:

First, add #color(red)(17)# and #color(blue)(3b)# to each side of the equation to isolate the #b# term while keeping the equation balanced:

#color(blue)(3b) + 11b - 17 + color(red)(17) = color(blue)(3b) - 3b + 39 + color(red)(17)#

#(color(blue)(3) + 11)b - 0 = 0 + 56#

#14b = 56#

Now, divide each side of the equation by #color(red)(14)# to solve for #b# while keeping the equation balanced:

#(14b)/color(red)(14) = 56/color(red)(14)#

#(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(14)))b)/cancel(color(red)(14)) = 4#

#b = 4#