Question

What is the ratio of a to b 9/17= 3a/ a+b

3/14
6/17
13/17
50/9

Answer 1

3/14

Explanation:

We want to find the ratio of a to b, or a/b

9/17 = 3a/ (a+b)

Multiply each side by 17

17*9/17 =17* 3a/ (a+b)

9 = 51 a/ (a+b)

Multiply each side by (a+b)

9 (a+b) = 51a

Distribute the 9

9a +9b = 51a

Subtract 9a from each side

9a-9a +9b =51a-9a

9b = 42a

Divide each side by b

9b/b = 42a/b

9 = 42a/b

Divide each side by 42

9/42 = a/b

But we can simplify 9/42 because each is divisible by 3, so divide 9 and 42 by 3

3/14 = a/b