16) First solve like a normal equation.
3|x/9| - 1 = 2
3|x/9| = 3
|x/9| = 1
Now just separate into two equations:
x/9 = 1
x/9 = -1
So x = 9, -9
17) Solve like normal:
-4 - 2|b - 10| = -6
-2 |b - 10| = -2
|b - 10| = 1
Now just separate into two equations:
b - 10 = 1
b - 10 = -1
So then b = 11, 9