Solve for Missing Denominator: 15b/? = 3b/4a Equation

Fraction Equations with Missing Denominators

Complete the corresponding expression for the denominator

15b?=3b4a \frac{15b}{?}=\frac{3b}{4a}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Complete the appropriate denominator
00:07 We want to isolate the denominator, so we'll multiply by the denominator
00:17 Let's isolate the denominator
00:41 Let's reduce what we can
00:46 Let's factor 15 into factors 5 and 3
00:54 Let's reduce what we can
00:59 Let's calculate the product
01:03 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 for the denominator

15b?=3b4a \frac{15b}{?}=\frac{3b}{4a}

2

Step-by-step solution

Examine the following problem:

15b?=3b4a \frac{15b}{?}=\frac{3b}{4a}

Remember the fraction reduction operation,

Begin with the numbers:

In order for the fraction on the left side to be reducible, we want all the terms in its denominator to have a common factor,

Additionally, we want to reduce the number 15 to obtain the number 3 in the fraction's numerator. Furthermore we also want the number 4 in the fraction's denominator.

For this purpose, we'll select the number 15 - which is in the numerator of the left side as a product of numbers where one of them is the number 3. Remember that the number which we multiply by 3 in order to obtain the number 15 is the number 5:

15b?=3b4a35b?=3b4a \frac{15b}{?}=\frac{3b}{4a} \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{\textcolor{blue}{3}\cdot\textcolor{orange}{5}\cdot b}{?}=\frac{\textcolor{blue}{3}b}{4a}

Now we want that after reduction only the number 3 remains in the numerator of the fraction on the left side. However in the fraction's denominator the number 4 remains, meaning - that the number 5 will be reduced, therefore the obvious choice is the number 20, due to the fact that:

20=45 20=4\cdot\textcolor{orange}{5}

Let's continue to the letters:

Examine the expression once again:

15b?=3b4a \frac{15b}{?}=\frac{3b}{4a}

We want the term a a in the denominator of the fraction on the right side. Note that this term is not found in the expression in the numerator of the fraction on the left side. Therefore for the letters we'll choose the expression:

a a

In summary, for both the letters and numbers together we'll choose the expression:

20a \boxed{20a}

Let's verify that from this choice we obtain the expression on the right side:

15b?=3b4a15b20a=?3b4a3b4a=3b4a3b4a=!3b4a \frac{15b}{?}=\frac{3b}{4a} \\ \downarrow\\ \frac{15b}{\textcolor{red}{20a}}\stackrel{?}{= }\frac{3b}{4a} \\ \frac{3\cdot\textcolor{orange}{\not{5}}\cdot b}{4\cdot\textcolor{orange}{\not{5}}\cdot a}=\frac{3b}{4a} \\ \downarrow\\ \boxed{\frac{3b}{4a}\stackrel{!}{= }\frac{3b}{4a} }

Therefore this choice is indeed correct.

That means - the correct answer is answer A.

3

Final Answer

20a 20a

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Cross-multiplication rule: When ab=cd \frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d} , then ad = bc
  • Factor technique: Write 15 = 3 × 5, so denominator needs 4 × 5 = 20
  • Verification: Reduce 15b20a \frac{15b}{20a} by canceling 5 to get 3b4a \frac{3b}{4a}

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Focusing only on the numerator without considering reduction
    Don't just look at 15b and 3b and think the denominator should be 5! This ignores that we need the 4a in the final result. The missing denominator must create a fraction that reduces to 3b4a \frac{3b}{4a} . Always think about what factors need to cancel out.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Determine if the simplification shown below is correct:

\( \frac{7}{7\cdot8}=8 \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't the answer just be 5a since 15 ÷ 3 = 5?

+

Good thinking, but you're missing a key step! While 15 ÷ 3 = 5, look at the right side: the denominator is 4a, not just a. You need 15b20a \frac{15b}{20a} so that when you reduce by canceling 5, you get 3b4a \frac{3b}{4a} .

How do I know what number to multiply by to get from 15 to 3?

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Great question! Since 15 ÷ 5 = 3, you need to divide by 5. In fractions, this means both numerator and denominator must have 5 as a factor that cancels out. So if the numerator has 15 = 3 × 5, the denominator needs 20 = 4 × 5.

What if I cross-multiply to solve this?

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Cross-multiplication works perfectly here! You get: 15b × 4a = 3b × (?). This gives you 60ab = 3b × (?). Divide both sides by 3b to get 20a as your answer.

How can I check if 20a is definitely correct?

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Substitute and reduce! 15b20a=3×5×b4×5×a \frac{15b}{20a} = \frac{3 × 5 × b}{4 × 5 × a} . Cancel the common factor 5: 3b4a \frac{3b}{4a} . Perfect match with the right side!

Why do we need the variable 'a' in our answer?

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Look at the right side of the equation: 3b4a \frac{3b}{4a} . The denominator contains both the number 4 and the variable a. For the fractions to be equal, the missing denominator must also contain the variable a.

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