8=1/5(3+b) whats b

Yes it is a mystery to me too and I am too tired and too busy to work it out right now.

Still the answer was right.

Thanks Pyramid   and   Alan.  

My working:

$$8=1/5(3+b)$$

$$1/5*3=3/5$$

$$8-3/5=b/5$$

$$8-1=7$$

$$5*7=35$$

$$35+(5-3)=37$$

$$b=37$$

Get it?

Might be simpler to multiply both sides by 5 first to get

5*8 = 3 + b   or  40 = 3 + b

Subtract 3 from both sides

40 - 3 = b   or   b = 37

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I know. But I firstly thought of the way shown in my answer.

That's fine, though it might be worth explaining what you are doing at each step.  Your fourth line threw me!

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That's the strangest math I've ever seen, Pyramid!!!......I don't know how you arrived at the correct answer......the ancient Egyptians used to solve problems by the use of something called "the method of false positioning."  Egyptians.....Pyramid.........Mmmmm......