If $a - 2 = b$ and $b + 5 = 2a$, then $a = $... | Free GMAT Practice Question | GMAT Panda

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If a - 2 = b and b + 5 = 2 a, then a =

Explanation	Calculations	Help
$We use Simultaneous Equations - Substitution to replace b with the expression from the first equation in the second equation.$	$(a - 2) + 5 = 2 a$	Theory & Tactics Method Card EQUA3-A Click to view full details
$We then collect like terms by simplifying the left side and grouping the constant terms.$	$a - 2 + 5 = a + 3 a + 3 = 2 a$
$We then subtract a from both sides to isolate the variable and simplify.$	$a + 3 - a = 2 a - a 3 = a$	Theory & Tactics Method Card EQUA1-C Click to view full details

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C

If a - 2 = b and b + 5 = 2 a, then a =

Explanation	Calculations	Help
$We use Simultaneous Equations - Substitution to replace b with the expression from the first equation in the second equation.$	$(a - 2) + 5 = 2 a$	Theory & Tactics Method Card EQUA3-A Click to view full details
$We then collect like terms by simplifying the left side and grouping the constant terms.$	$a - 2 + 5 = a + 3 a + 3 = 2 a$
$We then subtract a from both sides to isolate the variable and simplify.$	$a + 3 - a = 2 a - a 3 = a$	Theory & Tactics Method Card EQUA1-C Click to view full details

Scroll horizontally to view all columns

C