SOLUTION: Please explain how to solve this: 98-4b= -11b My son is asking whether b-98 is -97 or -98, but that doesn't make sense to me. Thanks!

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: Please explain how to solve this: 98-4b= -11b My son is asking whether b-98 is -97 or -98, but that doesn't make sense to me. Thanks!       Log On


   



Question 651780: Please explain how to solve this:
98-4b= -11b
My son is asking whether b-98 is -97 or -98, but that doesn't make sense to me. Thanks!

Found 3 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon, MathLover1:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
98-4b= -11b

98-4b + 4b = -11b + 4b

98 + 0b = -7b

98 = -7b

98/(-7) = -7b/(-7)

-14 = 1b

-14 = b

b = -14

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
98-4b= -11b
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Add 4b to both sides of the equation to get:
98 = -7b
----
Divide both sides by -7 to get:
b = -14
===============
Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by MathLover1(20855) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

98-4b=+-11b...move -11b to the left and 98 to the right side of equal sign (recall that sign changes in this case)
11b-4b=+-98
7b=+-98
b=+-98%2F7
highlight%28b=+-14%29
we can check result by plugging highlight%28b=+-14%29 in 98-4b=+-11b
98-4%28-14%29=+-11%28-14%29...recall:when multiplying two negative numbers, the product will be positive number
98%2B56=+154
154=+154...true; so, highlight%28b=+-14%29 is a solution for 98-4b=+-11b