"a ∝ b" means "a is proportional to b", which in turn means there is some constant k such that
a = kb
We're given that a = 18 and b = 3, so that
18 = 3k ⇒ k = 6
Then when b = 5, we would have
a = 6 × 5 = 30
Answer: 
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Work Shown:

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Explanation:
The idea is to first get all the y terms to one side. I did this by subtracting 2y from both sides in the third step.
Then factor out y and divide both sides by (8x-2)
Afterward there's the optional steps of simplifying (as shown in the final two steps).
The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of all its side lengths
11.3 + 14.7 + x < 44
Combine like terms
26 + x < 44
Subtract 26 from both sides.
x < 18