SOLUTION: Im having alot of trouble with solving equations involving fractions and decimals. I've had alot of people help me but none seem to understand the consept either. Could you help me

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Im having alot of trouble with solving equations involving fractions and decimals. I've had alot of people help me but none seem to understand the consept either. Could you help me      Log On


   

Question 393518: Im having alot of trouble with solving equations involving fractions and decimals. I've had alot of people help me but none seem to understand the consept either. Could you help me with 5.85b=8.68+3.68b and explain all your steps please? Thank you!
Found 2 solutions by edjones, ankor@dixie-net.com:
Answer by edjones(8007) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
5.85b=8.68+3.68b
2.17b=8.68 subtract 3.68b from each side.
b=4 divide each side by 2.17
.
Ed

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
5.85b = 8.68 + 3.68b
The idea is to get b by itself, usually on the left, perform algebra operations to accomplish this
Subtract 3.68b from both sides
5.85b - 3.68b = 8.68 + 3.68b - 3.68b
which is
2.17b = 8.68 + 0
or just
2.17b = 8.68
We want b to have a coefficient of 1, divide both sides by 2.17. divide the right side using a calc
2.17%2F2.17b = 8.68%2F2.17
which is
1b = 4
or just
b = 4
:
:
Now we can prove that this is correct by replacing b with 4 in the original problem.
5.85b = 8.68 + 3.68b
5.85(4) = 8.68 + 3.68(4)
Using a calc we have
23.4 = 8.68 + 14.72
do the math on the right
23.4 = 23.4, equality!! confirms our solution of b = 4
:
:
did this shed some light on this stuff for you?