Exercise 4 Page 115

To solve an equation, we should first gather all of the variable terms on one side of the equation and all of the constant terms on the other side using the Properties of Equality. In this case, we will start by multiplying both sides of the equation by 2 to remove the fractions.

1/2(b-3)=5/2

MultEqn

LHS * 2=RHS* 2

2*1/2(b-3)=5/2*2

DenomMultFracToNumber

2 * a/2= a

1(b-3)=5

OneMult

1* a=a

b-3=5

AddEqn

LHS+3=RHS+3

b-3+3=5+3

AddTerms

Add terms

b=8

The solution to the equation is b=8. We can check our solution by substituting it into the original equation.

1/2(b-3)=5/2

Substitute

b= 8

1/2( 8-3) ? = 5/2

SubTerm

Subtract term

1/2* 5 ? = 5/2

MoveRightFacToNumOne

1/b* a = a/b

5/2=5/2

Since the left-hand side is equal to the right-hand side, our solution is correct.