L= length= 1 1/2 yards
A= area= 3 1/2 yards^2
w= width
Area= length * width
plug in numbers you know
3 1/2= (1 1/2)(w)
convert to improper fractions
(3*2+1)/2= ((1*2+1)/2)(w)
7/2= 3/2w
divide both sides by 3/2
7/2 ÷ 3/2= w
to divide fractions, multiply by the reciprocal/inverse of 3/2
7/2 * 2/3= w
(7*2)/(2*3)= w
14/6= w
reduce by 2
7/3= width as improper fraction
OR
2 1/3= width as mixed fraction
ANSWER: The width should be 2 1/3 yards wide (or 7/3 yards wide).
Hope this helps! :)