Simplifying (5b + -9) + -3(8 + -2b) = 0 Reorder the terms: (-9 + 5b) + -3(8 + -2b) = 0 Remove parenthesis around (-9 + 5b) -9 + 5b + -3(8 + -2b) = 0 -9 + 5b + (8 * -3 + -2b * -3) = 0 -9 + 5b + (-24 + 6b) = 0 Reorder the terms: -9 + -24 + 5b + 6b = 0 Combine like terms: -9 + -24 = -33 -33 + 5b + 6b = 0 Combine like terms: 5b + 6b = 11b -33 + 11b = 0 Solving -33 + 11b = 0 Solving for variable 'b'. Move all terms containing b to the left, all other terms to the right. Add '33' to each side of the equation. -33 + 33 + 11b = 0 + 33 Combine like terms: -33 + 33 = 0 0 + 11b = 0 + 33 11b = 0 + 33 Combine like terms: 0 + 33 = 33 11b = 33