Question

solve for b.
7.1b = 6.6b - 5
b = \boxed{}

Explanation:

Step1: Subtract \(6.6b\) from both sides

To isolate the variable \(b\), we subtract \(6.6b\) from both sides of the equation \(7.1b = 6.6b - 5\). This gives us \(7.1b - 6.6b = 6.6b - 6.6b - 5\). Simplifying the left side, \(7.1b - 6.6b = 0.5b\), and the right side simplifies to \(-5\) (since \(6.6b - 6.6b = 0\)). So now our equation is \(0.5b = -5\).

Step2: Solve for \(b\)

To solve for \(b\), we divide both sides of the equation \(0.5b = -5\) by \(0.5\). Using the division property of equality, we have \(b=\frac{-5}{0.5}\). Calculating the right side, \(\frac{-5}{0.5}=- 10\) (because dividing by \(0.5\) is the same as multiplying by \(2\), and \(-5\times2 = - 10\)).

Answer:

\(-10\)