(a) The ratio of cows to chickens is 8:9.
(b) Let's say there are \( x \) chickens on the farm. Given the ratio of cows to chickens is 8:9, we can use the ratio to find the number of cows.
Using the ratio, we set up the proportion: \[ \frac{\text{cows}}{\text{chickens}} = \frac{8}{9} \]
If there are \( x \) chickens, then the number of cows can be found using: \[ \text{cows} = \frac{8}{9} \times x \]
So, if there are \( x \) chickens, the number of cows is \( \frac{8}{9}x \).