Question

Type the correct answer in each box. Use numerals instead of words. If necessary, use / for the fraction bar(s). Consider the equation below. -2(bx-5)=16The value of x in terms of b is The value of x when b is 3 is

Answer 1

To solve for x in terms of b, simply treat b as a number, and solve for x as usual: first of all, we expand the left hand side:

$-2bx+10 = 16$

Subtract 10 from both sides:

$-2bx = 6$

Divide both sides by -2b:

$x = \cfrac{6}{-2b} = \cfrac{-3}{b}$

This means that in particular, if we set $b= 3$, we have

$x = \cfrac{-3}{3} = -1$