OCR C2 — Question 5 8 marks

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleC2 (Core Mathematics 2)
Marks8
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicExponential Equations & Modelling
TypeLogarithmic equation solving
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a straightforward logarithm question testing standard laws (power rule, base change) with clear scaffolding in part (a) that directly leads to solving part (b). The algebraic manipulation is routine (2t - t/2 = 4 gives t = 8/3), followed by a simple exponential calculation. Slightly easier than average due to the helpful structure, though it does require multiple logarithm properties.
Spec1.06f Laws of logarithms: addition, subtraction, power rules

5. (a) Given that \(t = \log _ { 3 } x\),
  1. write down an expression in terms of \(t\) for \(\log _ { 3 } x ^ { 2 }\),
  2. show that \(\log _ { 9 } x = \frac { 1 } { 2 } t\).
    (b) Hence, or otherwise, find to 3 significant figures the value of \(x\) such that $$\log _ { 3 } x ^ { 2 } - \log _ { 9 } x = 4$$

5. (a) Given that $t = \log _ { 3 } x$,
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item write down an expression in terms of $t$ for $\log _ { 3 } x ^ { 2 }$,
\item show that $\log _ { 9 } x = \frac { 1 } { 2 } t$.\\
(b) Hence, or otherwise, find to 3 significant figures the value of $x$ such that

$$\log _ { 3 } x ^ { 2 } - \log _ { 9 } x = 4$$
\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR C2  Q5 [8]}}