To determine which value of \( b \) makes the inequality \( -32.5 - 6b \geq 48.5 \) true, let's solve the inequality step by step.
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Start with the inequality: \[ -32.5 - 6b \geq 48.5 \]
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Add 32.5 to both sides: \[ -6b \geq 48.5 + 32.5 \]
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Simplify the right side: \[ -6b \geq 81 \]
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Divide both sides by -6. Remember, when dividing by a negative number, the inequality sign flips: \[ b \leq -\frac{81}{6} \] \[ b \leq -13.5 \]
Now, we need to check which of the given choices satisfies this inequality:
- \( b = -13.5 \) (satisfies \( b \leq -13.5 \))
- \( b = -13 \) (does not satisfy \( b \leq -13.5 \))
- \( b = -12 \) (does not satisfy \( b \leq -13.5 \))
- \( b = -12.5 \) (does not satisfy \( b \leq -13.5 \))
The only value for \( b \) that makes the inequality true is:
- -13.5