Solve for b:
ax + b = cb
I understand multiplying each side by 1/c to get (ax + b)/c = b
I don't understand how to isolate "b" to one side without eliminating it from the other.

June 12, 2009, 4:21 pm by Guest

Here is how I would do it:                                ax + b = cb
1. Subtract b from both sides of the equation:     ax = cb - b   (subtraction property of equality)
2. Factor b from both terms on the right:              ax = b (c -1)
3. Divide both sides of the equation by c -1:        (ax)/(c-1) = b

June 19, 2009, 1:13 am by Guest

Before you can solve for a variable, you need to be sure that all terms containin the variable are on one side of the equation and all other terms are on the other side.  Then you can usually factor out the identified variable and divide to isolate it.

July 20, 2009, 4:00 pm by Guest

How many legs in total do two chickens, and a sheep have?