Verified answer

it's telling you to solve for b

so just subtract 5a from each side:

-b=7-5a

and then divide by a negative so b is positive:

b=-7+5a

thats the answer! =]

Are there any directions with the problem? A semi-colon has no mathematical meaning, so it is only acting as a seperator between the equation 5a - b =7 and the variable 'b.' My guess is that they are asking you to solve the equation for the variable b, that is usually how they would write it, if in each problem they were asking you to solve for an indicated variable.

If this is the case, the result would be.... b = 5a - 7

solve for b

-5a from both sidest

left with -b=-5a+7

divide by -1 on both sides

your answer:

b=5a-7

im guessing its telling you to find what b is

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