3b+7.1=2.5b+11.5
First, you'd take 2.5b and subtract it from 3b
3b-2.5b+7.1=11.5
Simplify:
.5b+7.1=11.5
then, you would take 7.1, and since it is positive, subtract it from 11.5
.5b=11.5-7.1
Simplify:
.5b=4.4
Lastly, you'd take 4.4 and divide it by .5, leaving the unknown factor alone.
b=4.4/.5
Final answer:
b=8.8