\begin{tabular}{|l|l|}\hline Ben solved an equation as shown below. \\ Equation: \( 2(-3 x+1)=9 x-8 \) \\ Step 1: & \( -6 x+2=9 x-8 \) \\ Step 2: & \( -6 x+9 x=-8+2 \) \\ Step 3: \\ Step 4: \\ What mistake did Ben make in solving the equation? \\ A. In Step 1, Ben did not distribute the two correctly. \\ B. In Step 2, Ben did not maintain the equality of the equation. \\ C. In Step 3, Ben made an error adding positive and negative numbers. \\ D. In Step 4, Ben did not divide correctly. \end{tabular}

Ben started correctly by distributing \(2\) in the equation \[ 2(-3x+1)=9x-8, \] which gives \[ -6x+2=9x-8. \] However, in Step 2 he attempted to move the variable terms and constants to opposite sides by writing \[ -6x+9x=-8+2. \] The mistake here is that he did not perform the same operation on both sides. To properly isolate \(x\), one correct method would be: 1. Subtract \(-6x\) (or add \(6x\)) to both sides: \[ -6x+2+6x = 9x-8+6x, \] which simplifies to \[ 2 = 15x-8. \] 2. Then add \(8\) to both sides: \[ 2+8 = 15x-8+8, \] giving \[ 10 = 15x. \] 3. Finally, divide by \(15\): \[ x=\frac{10}{15}=\frac{2}{3}. \] Ben’s Step 2 incorrectly combines the terms, leading to the wrong equation: \[ 3x=-6, \] which would result in \(x=-2\) if followed through. Thus, the error occurs in Step 2. The correct answer is B.