3(X+y)=y if (X,y) is a solution to the equation above and y is not equal to 0 what is the ratio x/y ? I don't understand this question and would...

Hello!

It is not hard. As you know, usually to find two unknowns two equations are required. There are only one equation, so probably we cannot find `x` and `y` separately. But the question is not about finding `x` and `y` but `x/y` only.

First, open the parentheses using the distributive law:

`3(x+y)=3x+3y=y.`

Then, move all terms with `x` to the left and all with `y` to the right (actually, add `-3y` to both sides):

`3x=y-3y=-2y`

(`y-3y=1y-3y=(1-3)y=-2y` by the distributive law also).

Now divide both sides of `3x=-2y`  by `y` and then by `2` and obtain

`x/y=-2/3.`

This is the ratio in question, -2/3.