Question

8 – (3 + b) = b – 9

Answer 1

8-3-b=b-9
5-b=b-9
2b=14
b=7

Answer 2

isolate b by itself.
But first distribute the negative within the parenthesis.
8- (3+b)= b-9
8-3-b=b-9
5-b=b-9
here you can proceed two ways. they yield the same answer
5-b=b-9
+b=+b
5=2b-9
+9= +9
14=2b
Divide by 2.
b=7.