Solve for x squared

Question

Solve for x₂:

 

a₁b₁/x₁=a₂b₂/x₂

Answer 1

If two fractions are equal, the reciprocals are also equal

 

x₁/(a₁b₁) = x₂(a₂b₂)          Multiply both sides the a₂b₂

x₁(a₂b₂) / (a₁b₁) = x₂

 

Answer 2

a(1)b(1)/x(1)=a(2)b(2)/x(2)

cross multiply

a(1)b(1)x(2)=a(2)b(2)x(1)

divide both sides by a(1)b(1)

x(2)=a(2)b(2)x(1)/a(1)b(1)

an easier solution is to write the reciprocal of both sides...

x(1)/a(1)b(1)=x(2)/a(2)b(2)

multiply x(1) by a(2)b(2) and that leaves x(2) isolated on the right side and you're done

x(1)a(2)b(2)/a(1)b(1)=x(2)