SOLUTION: I have a question for my algebraic homework assignment. I am allowed help but ONLY once. Can you answer what 5b=60 is? Thank you! I have tried these combinations: 1. 5 squared

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: I have a question for my algebraic homework assignment. I am allowed help but ONLY once. Can you answer what 5b=60 is? Thank you! I have tried these combinations: 1. 5 squared       Log On


   

Question 737725: I have a question for my algebraic homework assignment. I am allowed help but ONLY once. Can you answer what 5b=60 is? Thank you!
I have tried these combinations:
1. 5 squared x2
2. 5 + 55
3. 5 x 10 + 10
4. 5 x 12
Thank you for your appreciation!

Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"algebraic homework assignment", means you are studying number properties. You are becoming acquainted with properties of equality and the meaning and use of inverses.

You want some help for the equation, 5b=60.
(1) multiply left and right sides by the multiplicative inverse of 5.
(2) simplify both sides, meaning computations and reduce any fractions.
(3) you should now have your solution for b.

Looking for "combinations" is not meaningful. Your equation has only one variable in only one place and it is present as multiplied by 5; so you want to undo that multiplication, by multiplying both sides by the multiplicative inverse of 5. The idea* is that 5%2A%285%5E-1%29=1+.

* What I should have said was, the idea is that 5%2A%281%2F5%29=1. Your level of study has not yet, assumed, given you instruction about negative exponents (but soon it will). The multiplicative inverse of 5 is 1%2F5. Also, the multiplicative inverse of 1%2F5 is 5.