Answer
$b=\frac{1}{2}$
Work Step by Step
Use the Addition Property of Equality by adding $\frac{3}{16}$ from each side of the equation:
$$\begin{align*}
b-\frac{3}{16}+\frac{3}{16}&=\frac{5}{16}+\frac{3}{16}\\
b&=\frac{8}{16}\\\
b&=\frac{1}{2}\end{align*}$$
Check the solution by substituting $\frac{1}{2}$ to the variable in the given equation:
$$\begin{align*}
b-\frac{3}{16}&=\frac{5}{16}\\
\frac{1}{2}-\frac{3}{16}&\stackrel{?}{=}\frac{5}{16}\\
\frac{8}{16}-\frac{3}{16}&\stackrel{?}{=}\frac{5}{16}\\
\frac{5}{16}&\stackrel{\checkmark}{=}\frac{5}{16}\end{align*}$$
Thus, the solution is $b=\frac{1}{2}$.
