math word problem

a -- width
b -- length
Given: a x b=864, a=2/3 × b

b=864 ÷ a
b=3a ÷ 2

864 ÷ a = 3a ÷ 2
a = 24
b = 864 ÷ 24 = 36

Answer: the lenght of the basement is 36 feet.

How would you solve: 864 divided by a = 3a divided by 2?

The question really is how do you solve 864 divided by a = 3a divided by 2 without using radicals. Unfortunately, my daughter's class does not use radicals, and I am wondering how to solve it without using radicals. I would just simply solve it like this: 864 = (Length) x 2/3 L ; 864 x 3 = 2 L (square) ;

2,592 = 2 L (square) ; 2,592/2 = L (square) ; 1,296 = L (square root) ;

L = radical of 1,296 L = 36; However, at my daughter's level this is not comprehensible; how can I explain to her 864 divided by a = 3 a divided by 2 without using radicals in simply terms? Thanks