[tex]\\ \text{Consider the equation}\\ \\ 7a-2b=5a+b\\ \\ \text{to solve for a, we will first add 2b both sides. so we get}\\ \\ 7a-2b+2b=5a+b+2b\\ \\ \Rightarrow 7a=5a+3b\\ \\ \text{now subtract 5a both sides. so we have}\\ \\ 7a-5a=3b\\ \\ \Rightarrow 2a=3b\\ \\ \text{divide 2 both sides to get}\\ \\ \Rightarrow a=\frac{3b}{2}[/tex]
Hence the value of a is: 3b/2