Solve a/b=1/3

$$\frac { a } { b } = \frac { 1 } { 3 }$$

Solve for a

$$a=\frac{b}{3}$$

$$b\neq 0$$

Steps for Solving Linear Equation

Multiply both sides of the equation by 3b, the least common multiple of b,3.

$$3a=b$$

Divide both sides by 3.

$$\frac{3a}{3}=\frac{b}{3}$$

Dividing by 3 undoes the multiplication by 3.

$$a=\frac{b}{3}$$

Solve for b

$$b=3a$$

$$a\neq 0$$

Solution Steps

Variable b cannot be equal to 0 since division by zero is not defined. Multiply both sides of the equation by 3b, the least common multiple of b,3.

$$3a=b$$

Swap sides so that all variable terms are on the left hand side.

$$b=3a$$

Variable b cannot be equal to 0.

$$b=3a\text{, }b\neq 0$$