How do you solve 5/(b-5)=3/b?

2 Answers
Jul 10, 2016

b=-15/2

Explanation:

First we cross multiply and get:
3(b-5)=5b

Then we distribute the 3 on the left side
3b-15=5b

Now we collect terms by subtracting 3b from both sides.
-15=2b

Divide both sides by 2.
-15/2=b which is our answer.

Jul 10, 2016

b=-15/2.

Explanation:

5/(b-5)=3/b.
Multiplying by b(b-5) on both sides, we get,
b(b-5)*5/(b-5)=b(b-5)*3/b
:. (5b(b-5))/(b-5)=(3b(b-5))/b
:. 5bcancel(b-5)/cancel(b-5)=3cancelb(b-5)/cancel(b)
:. 5b=3(b-5)
:. 5b=3b-15
Adding, (-3b) on both sides, 5b-3b=3b-15-3b
:. 2b=cancel3b-15-cancel3b
:. 2b=-15
Multiplying by 1/2,
1/2(2b)=1/2(-15)
1/cancel2cancel2b=-15/2
:. b=-15/2.
This is the reqd. soln. Enjoy, Maths.!