Final answer:
The y-intercept (b) is where the line crosses the y-axis. To identify b as either -5 or 5, additional information like a graph, the slope, or a point on the line is needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The value of b in a linear equation expressed as y = mx + b or y = b + mx represents the y-intercept, which is the y-coordinate where the line crosses the y-axis. This value indicates where on the y-axis the plot line begins or originates when x equals 0. To determine the exact value of b for a specific linear equation, one would typically need additional information, such as a point on the line or the slope and a point.
Without sufficient context or data points given in the question, we cannot conclusively determine whether the value of b is option A (-5) or option B (5). To find the y-intercept of a specific line, you would either need a graph of the line, two points on the line to calculate it, or the full linear equation provided.