Chapter 2 - Solving Equations - 2-4 Solving Equations With Variables on Both Sides - Practice and Problem-Solving Exercises - Page 106: 22

b=7

$8-(3+b)=b-9 \\\\ 8-3-b=b-9 \\\\ 5=2b-9 \\\\2b=14 \\\\ b=7$ We first use the distributive property on the left side of the equation to simplify. We then add b on both sides. Next, we add 9 on both sides. Finally, we divide by 2 to get that b=7. We plug 7 in for b and confirm that our answer is, indeed, correct.