The variable 'a' is the concentration of p-nitrophenyl alpha-sialoside (as donor) in mM.
The variable 'b' is the lactose (as acceptor) concentration in mM.
'rate' is given in mM/min.
Biochemistry 2008, 47, 3507–3512 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18284211)