Question

This scale balanced with 18 on the left side and 9b onthe right side. Your teacher changed the scale, but didnot have time to restore the balance.Find the number to divide by on the left that makes thescale balance. Then complete the equation.

Answer 1

The initial balance was 18 and 9b, so we can write an equation and find the value of b:

`\begin{gathered} 18=9b \\ b=(18)/(9) \\ b=2 \end{gathered}`

So if the value of b is 2, let's calculate the missing value in order to rebalance the equation:

`\begin{gathered} 18\colon x=3b \\ (18)/(x)=3\cdot2 \\ (18)/(x)=6 \\ 6x=18 \\ x=(18)/(6) \\ x=3 \end{gathered}`

So the number to divide on the left is 3.