## anonymous 5 years ago 16 = 1/2*4 (3+ b2)

1. anonymous

$16 = half * 4* (3 + b _{2})$

Are you trying to solve for $$b_2$$?

3. anonymous

yes.

Ok, so let's start at the top. When you have a multiplication between regular numbers, go ahead and do that first. In this case: $16 = \frac{1}{2}4(3 + b_2)$ You can do the multiplication of 1/2 * 4. What do you get?

5. anonymous

2?

Right. So then we have: $16 = 2(3 + b_2)$

Now the easiest thing now is to move that 2 over to the left. Can you do that?

8. anonymous

yes....16 -2 = 14

Not quite. 2 is multiplied on the right, so you have to divide, not subtract, to get it back.

Or, to move it over, rather.

11. anonymous

yes.... duh..I realized that shortly after posting...

12. anonymous

so 16/2 is 8 right?

Right. So now we have: $8 = 3 + b_2$

14. anonymous

divide 8 by 3 now?

No, 3 is added in, so we subtract it this time :)

Remember, we can also rewrite that: $8 = b_2 - 3$

!! Sorry, I meant: $8 = b_2 + 3$

18. anonymous

okay...so $b _{2}$ =5?

Right! (Sorry for the delay.)

20. anonymous

no biggie