Solve a:b=5:18

$$a : b = 5 : 18$$

Solve for a

$$a=\frac{5b}{18}$$

$$b\neq 0$$

Steps for Solving Linear Equation

Multiply both sides of the equation by 18b, the least common multiple of b,18.

$$18a=5b$$

Divide both sides by 18.

$$\frac{18a}{18}=\frac{5b}{18}$$

Dividing by 18 undoes the multiplication by 18.

$$a=\frac{5b}{18}$$

Solve for b

$$b=\frac{18a}{5}$$

$$a\neq 0$$

Steps for Solving Linear Equation

Variable b cannot be equal to 0 since division by zero is not defined. Multiply both sides of the equation by 18b, the least common multiple of b,18.

$$18a=5b$$

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

$$5b=18a$$

Divide both sides by 5.

$$\frac{5b}{5}=\frac{18a}{5}$$

Dividing by 5 undoes the multiplication by 5.

$$b=\frac{18a}{5}$$

Variable b cannot be equal to 0.

$$b=\frac{18a}{5}\text{, }b\neq 0$$