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

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Senior Manager
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Joined: 09 May 2012
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WE: Engineering (Entertainment and Sports)
A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The  [#permalink]

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27 May 2012, 09:22
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25% (medium)

Question Stats:

77% (01:46) correct 23% (02:12) wrong based on 75 sessions

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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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WE 2: Supply Chain 5 Yrs
Re: A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The  [#permalink]

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27 May 2012, 10:57
-3*a^2=3(3a+2)
a= -2 or -1
a=-2=B
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Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 60546
Re: A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The  [#permalink]

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28 May 2012, 01:22
macjas wrote:
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

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 $$a=-1$$.

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

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08 Sep 2019, 11:09
macjas wrote:
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

We can create the equation:

(a^2) x (-3) = 3(3a + 2)

-a^2 = 3a + 2

-a^2 - 3a - 2 = 0

a^2 + 3a + 2 = 0

(a + 2)(a + 1) = 0

a = -2 or a = -1

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Re: A number a is squared and then multiplied by negative 3. The   [#permalink] 08 Sep 2019, 11:09
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