\[S = 18;\ \ q = \frac{2}{9}:\]
\[\frac{b_{1}}{- q + 1} = 18\]
\[b_{1} = 18 \cdot (1 - q)\]
\[b_{1} = 18 \cdot \left( 1 - \frac{2}{9} \right)\]
\[b_{1} = \frac{18 \cdot 7}{9}\]
\[b_{1} = 14.\]
\[Ответ:14.\]