Solve for Unknown Numerator: ?/3b = 5a/7b Proportion

Proportion Solving with Cross-Multiplication

Complete the corresponding expression in the numerator

?3b=5a7b \frac{?}{3b}=\frac{5a}{7b}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Complete the appropriate counter
00:05 We want to isolate the numerator, so we'll multiply by the denominator
00:18 Let's calculate the multiplication
00:24 Let's reduce what we can
00:30 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Complete the corresponding expression in the numerator

?3b=5a7b \frac{?}{3b}=\frac{5a}{7b}

2

Step-by-step solution

Examine the following problem:

?3b=5a7b \frac{?}{3b}=\frac{5a}{7b}

Mark the missing part as unknown x:

?x ?\rightarrow x

Proceed to write the problem using the following notation:

?3b=5a7bx3b=5a7b \frac{\textcolor{blue}{?}}{3b}=\frac{5a}{7b} \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{\textcolor{blue}{x}}{3b}=\frac{5a}{7b}

Continue to solve the equation for the unknown x. First we'll multiply both sides of the equation by the simplest common denominator for the numbers and letters. Given that the numbers 3 and 7 are prime numbers, meaning - they have no common factors, for the numbers we'll simply choose their product:

37=21 3\cdot7=21 and for the letters it's easy to see that the common denominator is b b Therefore the common denominator we'll choose is: 21b 21b by which we'll multiply both sides of the equation. We know how much to multiply each fraction's numerator in the equation by using the answer to the question: "By how much did we multiply the current denominator to obtain the common denominator?" (For each fraction separately) Then we'll proceed to solve the resulting equation:

x73b=5a37b/21bx7=5a37x=15a/:7x=15a7 \frac{x^{\diagdown\cdot7}}{3b}=\frac{5a^{\diagdown\cdot3}}{7b} \hspace{6pt}\text{/}\cdot21b \\ x\cdot7=5a\cdot3\\ 7x=15a\hspace{6pt}\text{/}:7\\ \boxed{x=\frac{15a}{7}}

Remember that we marked the expression we're looking for as x,

Therefore the correct answer is answer C.

3

Final Answer

15a7 \frac{15a}{7}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Cross-Multiplication Rule: In proportions a/b = c/d, multiply diagonally: a×d = b×c
  • Technique: From x3b=5a7b \frac{x}{3b}=\frac{5a}{7b} get x×7b = 3b×5a, so 7x = 15a
  • Check: Substitute 15a7 \frac{15a}{7} back: 15a/73b=15a21b=5a7b \frac{15a/7}{3b} = \frac{15a}{21b} = \frac{5a}{7b}

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Forgetting to cross-multiply correctly
    Don't multiply straight across like x×5a=3b×7b x \times 5a = 3b \times 7b = wrong setup! This ignores the diagonal pattern of proportions and gives incorrect equations. Always cross-multiply diagonally: unknown numerator times opposite denominator equals known numerator times remaining denominator.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Identify the field of application of the following fraction:

\( \frac{7}{13+x} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can I cancel the 'b' terms when cross-multiplying?

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When you cross-multiply x3b=5a7b \frac{x}{3b}=\frac{5a}{7b} , you get x×7b=3b×5a x \times 7b = 3b \times 5a . Since both sides have 'b', you can divide both sides by b, leaving 7x=15a 7x = 15a .

What if the denominators were different variables?

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The cross-multiplication method works the same way! If you had x3y=5a7z \frac{x}{3y}=\frac{5a}{7z} , you'd get x×7z=3y×5a x \times 7z = 3y \times 5a , so no cancellation would occur.

Can I solve this by finding a common denominator instead?

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Yes! You could multiply both fractions to get denominator 21b, giving 7x21b=15a21b \frac{7x}{21b}=\frac{15a}{21b} . Then 7x = 15a, same result as cross-multiplication.

How do I check if my final fraction is simplified?

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Look for common factors in the numerator and denominator. Since 15 and 7 share no common factors (7 is prime), 15a7 \frac{15a}{7} is already fully simplified.

What if I get a negative answer?

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Negative answers are perfectly valid in proportions! Just make sure you've done the cross-multiplication correctly and check your arithmetic signs carefully.

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