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It's important to remember that when we have regular numbers and unknowns, we cannot add or subtract them directly.
Let's collect like terms:
5b+2b-7+14=0
7b+7 = 0
Let's move terms
7b = -7
Let's divide by 7
b=-1
And that's the solution!
\( x+7=14 \)
\( x=\text{?} \)
Like terms have the same variable part. In this problem, 5b and 2b are like terms (both have 'b'), while -7 and 14 are like terms (both are just numbers).
Because 5b represents 5 times some unknown number, while -7 is just -7. You can't add apples and oranges! Only combine terms that have the exact same variable part.
Be extra careful with signs! For 5b + 2b, both are positive so you get 7b. For -7 + 14, you're adding a negative and positive, so think: 14 - 7 = 7.
Yes! After combining like terms, isolate the variable by moving all terms without the variable to the opposite side. This gives you the cleanest path to the solution.
It doesn't matter! You can move the constant to the right (7b = -7) or the variable to the left (-7 = -7b). Choose whichever feels easier - both give the same answer.
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