Question

what is the ratio of a to b

9over 17 = 3a over a+b

Answer 1

Let's get rid of the denominators

Answer 2

first we multiply both sides by (a+b), so we get 9/17(a+b) = 3a

Answer 3

we then multiply both sides by 17, so we get 9(a+b) = 9a+9b=51a

Answer 4

then subtract 9a from both sides to get 9b=42a

Answer 5

we find that 42a = 9b, so the ratio of a to b is 42:9