SOLUTION: Basic qustion here, say I have: (16.5)�/33� + (12)�/b� = 1 144/b� = 1 - (272.25/1089) = 816.75/1089. b� = 144 / (816.75/1089) = 192 my question is what happened between

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Question 949608: Basic qustion here, say I have:
(16.5)�/33� + (12)�/b� = 1
144/b� = 1 - (272.25/1089) = 816.75/1089.
b� = 144 / (816.75/1089) = 192
my question is what happened between 144/b� to b� I thought if you have a problem like a fraction to get the 144 out I would think I'd have to multiply it out rather it looks like something else happened, could you explain what happened here?
Thanks
Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, macston, MathTherapy:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Multiplied both sides by ;
Divided both sides by .
Symmetric Property of Equality.

Answer by macston(5194)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
144/b� = 1 - (272.25/1089) = 816.75/1089. Divide each side by(816.75/1089). This leaves the right side as 1. Multiply each side by to get alone. and leaves 144 /(816.75/1089) on the left side. Switching sides of an equality is fine. And I'm not certain exactly how the manipulation was done, but it seems to be mathematically sound.

Answer by MathTherapy(10552)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Basic qustion here, say I have:
(16.5)�/33� + (12)�/b� = 1
144/b� = 1 - (272.25/1089) = 816.75/1089.
b� = 144 / (816.75/1089) = 192
my question is what happened between 144/b� to b� I thought if you have a problem like a fraction to get the 144 out I would think I'd have to multiply it out rather it looks like something else happened, could you explain what happened here?
Thanks

Let's pick it up from here:
144/b� = 1 - (272.25/1089) = 816.75/1089.

--------- Cross-multiplying

, or b = 192