CAIE P3 2011 June — Question 1 4 marks

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleP3 (Pure Mathematics 3)
Year2011
SessionJune
Marks4
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicExponential Equations & Modelling
TypeSimple exponential equation solving
DifficultyModerate -0.8 This is a straightforward exponential equation requiring taking logarithms of both sides and rearranging to solve for x. It's a standard textbook exercise with a clear method (take logs, use log laws, collect x terms, solve) requiring no problem-solving insight, making it easier than average but not trivial since it involves algebraic manipulation with logarithms.
Spec1.06g Equations with exponentials: solve a^x = b

1 Use logarithms to solve the equation \(5 ^ { 2 x - 1 } = 2 \left( 3 ^ { x } \right)\), giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

AnswerMarks Guidance
Use law for the logarithm of a product, power or quotientM1*
Obtain a correct linear equation, e.g. \((2x-1)\ln 5 = \ln 2 + x \ln 3\)A1
Solve a linear equation for \(x\)M1(dep*)
Obtain answer \(x = 1.09\)A1 [4]
[SR: Reduce equation to the form \(a^x = b\) M1*, obtain \(\left(\frac{25}{3}\right)^x = 10\) A1, use correct method to calculate value of \(x\) M1(dep*), obtain answer 1.09 A1.]
Use law for the logarithm of a product, power or quotient | M1* |
Obtain a correct linear equation, e.g. $(2x-1)\ln 5 = \ln 2 + x \ln 3$ | A1 |
Solve a linear equation for $x$ | M1(dep*) |
Obtain answer $x = 1.09$ | A1 | [4]
[SR: Reduce equation to the form $a^x = b$ M1*, obtain $\left(\frac{25}{3}\right)^x = 10$ A1, use correct method to calculate value of $x$ M1(dep*), obtain answer 1.09 A1.] |
1 Use logarithms to solve the equation $5 ^ { 2 x - 1 } = 2 \left( 3 ^ { x } \right)$, giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE P3 2011 Q1 [4]}}