A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The

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A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The [#permalink]

27 May 2012, 09:22

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A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The result of this operation is equal to three times the sum of three times a and two. What is one possible value of a ?

A. -3
B. -2
C. 1
D. 2
E. 3

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Re: A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The [#permalink]

27 May 2012, 10:57

-3*a^2=3(3a+2)
a= -2 or -1
a=-2=B

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Re: A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The [#permalink]

28 May 2012, 01:22

macjas wrote:

A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3 --> a^2*(-3);
The result of this operation is equal to three times the sum of three times a and two --> 3(3a+2);

So, we have that a^2*(-3)=3(3a+2) --> a^2+3a+2=0 --> a=-2 or a=-1.

Answer: B.
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Re: A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The [#permalink] 28 May 2012, 01:22

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A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The

A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The

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