Final answer:
To solve the equation 1/2 (b + 6) = 3/2b - 1, distribute and combine like terms on both sides to isolate b and find that b equals 4.
Step-by-step explanation:
Solving the given equation
To solve the equation 1/2 (b + 6) = 3/2b - 1, we need to carry out several steps. First, expand the bracket on the left side of the equation:
1/2 × b + 1/2 × 6 = 3/2b - 1
which simplifies to:
1/2b + 3 = 3/2b - 1
To isolate b, we first subtract 1/2b from both sides:
3 = 3/2b - 1 - 1/2b
Combining like terms gives us:
3 = b - 1
Now, add 1 to both sides to isolate b:
b = 4
Thus, the solution to the equation is b = 4.