Question

16 = 1/2*4 (3+ b2)

Answer 1

\[16 = half * 4* (3 + b _{2})\]

Answer 2

Are you trying to solve for \(b_2\)?

Answer 3

yes.

Answer 4

Ok, so let's start at the top. When you have a multiplication between regular numbers, go ahead and do that first. In this case:

\[16 = \frac{1}{2}4(3 + b_2)\]

You can do the multiplication of 1/2 * 4. What do you get?

Answer 5

2?

Answer 6

Right. So then we have:

\[16 = 2(3 + b_2)\]

Answer 7

Now the easiest thing now is to move that 2 over to the left. Can you do that?

Answer 8

yes....16 -2 = 14

Answer 9

Not quite. 2 is multiplied on the right, so you have to divide, not subtract, to get it back.

Answer 10

Or, to move it over, rather.

Answer 11

yes.... duh..I realized that shortly after posting...

Answer 12

so 16/2 is 8 right?

Answer 13

Right. So now we have:

\[8 = 3 + b_2\]

Answer 14

divide 8 by 3 now?

Answer 15

No, 3 is added in, so we subtract it this time :)

Answer 16

Remember, we can also rewrite that:

\[8 = b_2 - 3\]

Answer 17

!! Sorry, I meant:

\[ 8 = b_2 + 3 \]

Answer 18

okay...so \[b _{2}\] =5?

Answer 19

Right! (Sorry for the delay.)

Answer 20

no biggie