Question

Find the value of the variable.

$-9b=2$

Short answer

The value of the variable is $\mathit{b}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{-}\frac{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{9}}$.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Divide by 9.

To find the value of variable b in the equation $-9b=2$, divide both sides of the equation by 9.

$-\frac{9b}{9}=\frac{2}{9}$

Step 2. Simplify the equation.

To further simplify, cancel the common factors of 9 on both sides.

$-b=\frac{2}{9}$

Step 3. Multiply by -1.

In order to obtain b, multiply the equation $-b=\frac{2}{9}$ from both sides $-1$.

$\begin{array}{l}-b\times \left(-1\right)=\frac{2}{9}\times \left(-1\right)\\ b=-\frac{2}{9}\end{array}$

Step 4. Verify the value.

In order to verify the value of b, substitute $-\frac{2}{9}$ for b into the equation $-9b=2$.

$\begin{array}{l}-9\times \left(-\frac{2}{9}\right)=2\\ 2=2\text{True}\end{array}$

Hence, the value of the variable is $b=-\frac{2}{9}$.