Question

22.

Determine whether b is positive or negative.
a)
5b <2b
b)
7b > 3b

Answer 1

Part 1

5b < 2b

5b-2b < 0

3b < 0

b < 0/3 ... see note below

b < 0

We determine that b is negative since it is less than zero.

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Part 2

7b > 3b

7b - 3b > 0

4b > 0

b > 0/4 .... see note below

b > 0

This time b is positive.

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Note: The inequality sign does not flip because we didn't divide both sides by a negative value.