Sunday, January 11, 2015

11:46 AM

GRE Math Algebra Practice Question with Explnation



The larger of two numbers exceeds twice the smaller number by 9. The sum of twice the larger and 5 times the smaller number is 74. If a is the smaller number, which equation below determines the correct value of a?

A) 5(2a + 9) + 2a = 74
B) 5(2a - 9) + 2a = 74
C) (4a + 9) + 5a = 74
D) 2(2a + 9) + 5a = 74
D) 2(2a - 9) + 5a = 74


Solution:


The correct answer is ( D ).

To solve this problem, first convert the information given into its mathematical equivalent, as follows (use b to represent the larger number):

The larger of two numbers exceeds twice the smaller number by 9:
b = 2a + 9

The sum of twice the larger and five times the smaller number is 74:
2b + 5a = 74

Now, simply substitute the value of b into the second equation in order to solve for a:
2(2a + 9) + 5a = 74

Thus the answer is (D).

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