Answer:
![b=24](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/swzpcu54z1kdupt1xz8gtj57m55n63b53g.png)
Explanation:
![(1)/(2)b-16=-4](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/i0o02gt8qfyssvs8ipo59m9rx8rwticpys.png)
First, start by adding
to both sides of the equation:
![(1)/(2) b=12](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/5e1elc39oawh8kiwyo8x5dhy2q88zeyyzt.png)
To make this problem easier, it would be a good idea to identify
as the decimal equivalent of the fraction
:
![0.5b=12](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/k4hkhbd3v2jlxrsa1oq1c84ok0e51ah61s.png)
Divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient of
, which is
.
(**Tip: Dividing by a half is the same as multiplying by
):
![b=24](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/swzpcu54z1kdupt1xz8gtj57m55n63b53g.png)
-
To check our work and solution, substitute the solved value of
, (
), into the initial equation:
![(1)/(2)b-16=-4](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/i0o02gt8qfyssvs8ipo59m9rx8rwticpys.png)
![(1)/(2)(24)-16=-4](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/6fzym7y2i87s8cnl98ig4s9tf1yxoke9go.png)
![12-16=-4](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/pi98i98cwq4zo7qbv87eyr7ninuf5z2e3v.png)
![-4=-4](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/z6bqpb4vl5lz004zd059s3u4y8b6rxsza0.png)
Since both sides of the equation are equal, our solution is correct!