1. Stating the problem: We want to check if the equation $b \times b \times b = b + b + b$ is true. 2. Understanding the equation: The left side is $b$ multiplied by itself three times, which is $b^3$. 3. The right side is $b$ added to itself three times, which is $3b$. 4. So the equation becomes: $$b^3 = 3b$$ 5. To analyze this, subtract $3b$ from both sides: $$b^3 - 3b = 0$$ 6. Factor out $b$: $$b(b^2 - 3) = 0$$ 7. Set each factor equal to zero: - $b = 0$ - $b^2 - 3 = 0 \Rightarrow b^2 = 3 \Rightarrow b = \pm \sqrt{3}$ 8. So the equation holds true only if $b = 0$, $b = \sqrt{3}$, or $b = -\sqrt{3}$. 9. For other values of $b$, the equation is not true. Final answer: The equation $b \times b \times b = b + b + b$ is true only when $b = 0$, $b = \sqrt{3}$, or $b = -\sqrt{3}$.