1. The problem asks: When using the quadratic formula, if the coefficient $b$ is negative, does the $-b$ in the formula become positive $b$ when substituted? 2. Recall the quadratic formula for solving $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ is: $$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$$ 3. The key part is the $-b$ term. If $b$ is negative, say $b = -k$ where $k > 0$, then: $$-b = -(-k) = k$$ 4. This means the negative sign in front of $b$ changes the sign of $b$. So if $b$ is negative, $-b$ becomes positive. 5. For example, if $b = -3$, then $-b = -(-3) = 3$. 6. Therefore, yes, when substituting a negative $b$ into the quadratic formula, the $-b$ becomes positive. This is an important rule to remember: the minus sign in front of $b$ in the formula reverses the sign of $b$ when substituted. Final answer: If $b$ is negative, then $-b$ is positive in the quadratic formula substitution.