BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
Vote for Target Test Prep, Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
NEWSWEEK READERS’ CHOICE 2026

BIG NEWS! Target Test Prep has been nominated, and they’d love your vote!

TTP has worked incredibly hard to build the best test prep experience possible, and winning Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep would mean a lot to them. If TTP has helped you, they’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. You can vote once each day through September 9.

Vote for TTP
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

2ax - 3b = a - bx is an equation in terms of x. What is its

Expert replies
by Max@Math Revolution » Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:08 pm
[GMAT math practice question]

2ax - 3b = a - bx is an equation in terms of x. What is its solution?

1) -3/2 is a solution of (b-a)x - (2a-3b) = 0
2) a = 3b
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by deloitte247 » Sun Nov 10, 2019 12:14 pm
2ax - 3b - a + bx = 0
2ax + bx - 3b - a = 0
x(2a + b) - (a + 3b) = 0
So, let find the unknown variables;
Statement 1: -3/2 is a solution of (b-a)x - (2a-3b) = 0
One of the unknown variables in this expression is given but the remaining 2 variables are not given. Thus, -3/2 could be a solution of either variable a, b or x.
So, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: a = 3b
Express from the question stem x(2a + b) - (a + 3b) = 0
Substitute a=3b; we have,
x(2(3b) + b) - ((3b) + 3b) = 0
x(6b + b) - 6b = 0
7bx - 6b = 0
Variable x and b has no definite solution, hence, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT.

Combining both statement together:
Statement 1: (b-a)x - (2a-3b) = 0
Statement 2: a = 3b
So, (b-3b)x - (2(3b) - 3b) = 0
(-2b)x - (6b - 3b) = 0
-2bx - 3b = 0
-2bx = 3b
Divide through by x
-2x = 3
x = -3/2
The solution for variable 'a' and 'b' is still unknown, hence, both statements combined together are NOT SUFFICIENT.

ANSWER = OPTION E
Join the discussion

by Max@Math Revolution » Sun Nov 10, 2019 6:43 pm
=>

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.
Visit https://www.mathrevolution.com/gmat/lesson for details.

The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question. We should simplify conditions if necessary.
The question asks the value of (a+3b)/(2a+b) for the following reason.
2ax - 3b = a - bx
=> 2ax + bx = a + 3b
=> x(2a+b) = a+3b
=> x = (a+3b)/(2a+b)

Since we have a = 3b from condition 2), we have x = (a+3b)/(2a+b) = (3b+3b)/(6b+b) = (6b)/(7b) = 6/7.
Thus, condition 2) is sufficient.

Condition 1)
When we substitute -3/2 for x, we have (b-a)(-3/2) - (2a-3b) = 0 or (-3)(b-a) = 2(2a-3b). We have -3b+3a = 4a-6b or a = 3b.
Condition 1) is equivalent to condition 2), and it is also sufficient.

Therefore, D is the answer.

When a question asks for a ratio, if one condition includes a ratio and the other condition just gives a number, the condition including the ratio is most likely to be sufficient. This tells us that D is most likely to be the answer to this question, since each condition includes a ratio.

Note: Tip 1) of the VA method states that D is most likely to be the answer if condition 1) gives the same information as condition 2).

This question is a CMT4(B) question: condition 2) is easy to work with, and condition 1) is difficult to work with. For CMT4(B) questions, D is most likely to be the answer.
Join the discussion