Basic Math Examples

$(- \frac{5}{8}) = b + (\frac{7}{8})$

Step 1

Rewrite the equation as $b + \frac{7}{8} = - \frac{5}{8}$ .

$b + \frac{7}{8} = - \frac{5}{8}$

Step 2

Move all terms not containing $b$ to the right side of the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

Subtract $\frac{7}{8}$ from both sides of the equation.

$b = - \frac{5}{8} - \frac{7}{8}$

Step 2.2

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$b = \frac{- 5 - 7}{8}$

Step 2.3

Subtract $7$ from $- 5$ .

$b = \frac{- 12}{8}$

Step 2.4

Cancel the common factor of $- 12$ and $8$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.4.1

Factor $4$ out of $- 12$ .

$b = \frac{4 (- 3)}{8}$

Step 2.4.2

Cancel the common factors.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.4.2.1

Factor $4$ out of $8$ .

$b = \frac{4 \cdot - 3}{4 \cdot 2}$

Step 2.4.2.2

Cancel the common factor.

$b = \frac{4 \cdot - 3}{4 \cdot 2}$

Step 2.4.2.3

Rewrite the expression.

$b = \frac{- 3}{2}$

Step 2.5

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$b = - \frac{3}{2}$

Step 3

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$b = - \frac{3}{2}$

Decimal Form:

$b = - 1.5$

Mixed Number Form:

$b = - 1 \frac{1}{2}$