Solving R = 3(a + b) for b: which form is simplified?

[EProph]

This might be a dumb question, but in my Algebra book, for the problem:

Solve R = 3(a + b) for b

I came up with: $$\frac{R}{3} - a = b$$
The book has the answer listed as: $$\frac{R-3a}{3} = b$$

Which one is simplified? The book tells us to always give your answers in simplified form. To me, my answer seems more simplified than the book's answer since I removed the 3 in the numerator. Is it? Or is there some reason the answer should be left as the book has it?

Thanks,
-EP

 

[Curious3141]

Your answer is fine, and so is the book's. Only a crazy teacher would ever mark you down for giving one where the other was "expected".

 

[dextercioby]

Look at it this way:to compute "b",you have to do 2 operations only:a division & a subtraction,while the book does 3:a multiplication,a subtraction & a division...

Da