Solve y = x + b for b

Step by step

The question

Question: solve for b in y = x + b.

We treat the other letters like numbers.

1 b on the left

b is on the right.

We swap the two sides, so b is on the left.

They are still equal.

2 Remove the x

We want b by itself.

The x is in the way.

To remove x, we take away x.

We do it on both sides.

They make zero.

Cross them out.

So b = y − x.

3 Check

Let's check with numbers.

We pick x = 2, y = 3.

Our answer gives b = 1.

Now we put all the numbers into the start.

First the left side.

Now the right side.

Both sides are 3.

So our answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: b on the left.

Then: remove the x.

Last: check.