solve for b. express your answer as a proper or improper fraction in simplest terms
-1/2 - 3/8b = -5/6
To solve for b, we need to isolate it on one side of the equation.
Start by adding 1/2 to both sides of the equation to remove the -1/2 term:
-3/8b = -5/6 + 1/2
Next, simplify the fractions on the right side of the equation:
-3/8b = -5/6 + 3/6
Combining the fractions:
-3/8b = -2/6
Simplify the right side further by reducing the fraction:
-3/8b = -1/3
To eliminate the fraction on the left side, multiply both sides of the equation by -8/3 (the reciprocal of -3/8):
(-8/3)(-3/8b) = (-8/3)(-1/3)
Simplifying the left side:
b = 8/9
Therefore, the solution for b is 8/9.