3/13-3b/13=8/13 solve for b

Question

3/13-3b/13=8/13 solve for b 

Answer 1

Another way to remove the denominator when they are all the same is to multiply each term in the equation by the common denominator, 13.  This has the same affect.

 

William (Bill) L

Answer 2

Because all of the pieces have the same common denominator you can “pretend” the fractions don’t exist. So rewrite the equation as:

3 - 3b = 8

-3         -3

-3b    = 5

/(-3)    /(-3)

b = -5/3 or -1 2/5

Check your answer using original equation

3/13 - 3b/13 = 8/13

3/13 - [3(-5/3)]/13 = 8/13           plug -5/3 in for b

[3(-5/3)]/13                               simplify

[(3/1)(-5/3)]/13

-5/13

3/13 - (-5/13) = 8/13

Correct