given: (x + 1, 1) = (3y, y - 1)

To find: values of a and b

By the definition of equality of ordered pairs, we have

x + 1 = 3y and ⇒ 1 = y - 1

⇒ x = 3y - 1 and ⇒ y = 2

⇒ x = 5