If (a+1)/(b-1)=5/1a+1b1=51 and (a-1)/(b+1)=1/1a1b+1=11, how do you find the value of b/a?

1 Answer
Mar 27, 2018

b/a = 1/2ba=12

Explanation:

We can see that

a + 1 = 5(b - 1)a+1=5(b1)

a + 1 = 5b -5a+1=5b5

6 = 5b - a6=5ba

And

a - 1 = b + 1a1=b+1

a - 2= ba2=b

Substituting the second equation into the first we get

6 = 5(a- 2) - a6=5(a2)a

6 = 5a - 10 - a6=5a10a

16 = 4a16=4a

a = 4a=4

It follows that b = 4 - 2 = 2b=42=2 .

Therefore b/a = 2/4 = 1/2ba=24=12

Hopefully this helps!