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
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
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

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

Binomial division

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2010 11:51 am
by SFtraveler » Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:30 pm
What is the rule on why 5a + 9 = 3b becomes 5a/3 + 9/3 = b and not (5a + 9)/3 = b when solving for b? I'm very rusty at algebra and trying to learn the rule to avoid making the mistake of not splitting up the numerator into two separate fractions, which leads to the wrong answer. [In this case, the right answer ends up being 5a/3+3=b.]
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Quantitative Reasoning |
User avatar
Community Manager
Posts: 991
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:19 amFollowed by: 24 members
Location: Bangalore, India
Thanked: 146 times

by shovan85 » Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:44 pm
SFtraveler wrote:What is the rule on why 5a + 9 = 3b becomes 5a/3 + 9/3 = b and not (5a + 9)/3 = b when solving for b?
5a + 9 = 3b

This is the original equation.

Left Hand Side (LHS) is 5a + 9 and Right Hand Side (RHS) is 3b

Step 1: Multiple both sides by 1/3 (this also means "Divide both sides by 3")

Thus, (5a + 9) * (1/3) = 3b * (1/3)

Step 2: Open the brackets and make each term individual

Thus, (5a/3) + (9/3) = 3b/3

=> 5a/3 + 3 = b (Desired Answer)
If the problem is Easy Respect it, if the problem is tough Attack it
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2010 11:51 am

by SFtraveler » Thu Nov 25, 2010 12:02 am
Thanks shovan85, but I am looking for the rule on why your Step 2: "Open the brackets and make individual" is used so I know what to do in future on similar problems. Under what conditions is this the proper step to take?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Community Manager
Posts: 991
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:19 amFollowed by: 24 members
Location: Bangalore, India
Thanked: 146 times

by shovan85 » Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:03 am
SFtraveler wrote:Thanks shovan85, but I am looking for the rule on why your Step 2: "Open the brackets and make individual" is used so I know what to do in future on similar problems. Under what conditions is this the proper step to take?
Hi

It is not a rule but to clarify your doubt I have pointed out. See the below again and the the line marked RED has been removed from your actual question that caused Doubt within you.

5a + 9 = 3b

=> (5a + 9) * (1/3) = 3b * (1/3)

=> (5a/3) + (9/3) = 3b/3

=> 5a/3 + 3 = b (Desired Answer)

Basically, In elementary algebra parentheses, ( ), are used to specify the order of operations, terms inside the bracket are evaluated first, hence 2×(3 + 4) is 14 and (2×3) + 4 is 10.
If the problem is Easy Respect it, if the problem is tough Attack it
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1