How Do You Solve a Two-Step Equation by Multiplying by -1 First?

b is a variable
Multiplying both sides by -1 will make the -b into a b, which is what we're trying to solve for
Make sure you distribute the -1 through all the terms on the left hand side!
We can check our answer by plugging 7 into our original equation
If we get a true statement and both sides of the equation are equal, then we know our answer is correct!

1. This will make the -b into a b, which is what we want
2. Make sure you multiply on both sides to maintain the equality!
1. So -b+4 will become b-4
2. And -3 will become 3
3. Make sure you distribute the -1 through all the terms on the left hand side!
1. You'll have to use addition to solve this new equation: b-4=3
2. By "isolate" we mean that we want to get b by itself, with nothing being added to or subtracted from it, on one side
1. Remember, if we add 4 on one side we have to add it to the other side as well to maintain the equality
1. We can plug 7, the answer we got, into our original equation to check it
1. We know we have a true statement if both sides equal one another

Solve the following equation: -b + 4 = - 3