CAIE P3 2014 June — Question 2 4 marks

Exam BoardCAIE
ModuleP3 (Pure Mathematics 3)
Year2014
SessionJune
Marks4
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicLaws of Logarithms
TypeSolve log equation then substitute trig/exponential expression
DifficultyStandard +0.3 This is a straightforward logarithm equation requiring systematic application of log laws and exponential manipulation. The steps are routine: divide by 2, exponentiate both sides, rearrange to isolate the exponential term, then take logarithms again. While it requires careful algebraic manipulation across 4 marks, it follows a standard template with no conceptual surprises, making it slightly easier than average.
Spec1.06g Equations with exponentials: solve a^x = b

Solve the equation $$2\ln(5 - e^{-2x}) = 1,$$ giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures. [4]

AnswerMarks
Remove logarithms and obtain \(5 - e^{-2x} = e^{\frac{1}{2}}\), or equivalentB1
Obtain a correct value for \(e^{-2x}\), \(e^{2x}\), \(e^{-x}\) or \(e^x\), e.g. \(e^{2x} = 1/(5 - e^{\frac{1}{2}})\)B1
Use correct method to solve an equation of the form \(e^{2x} = a\), \(e^{-2x} = a\), \(e^x = a\) or \(e^{-x} = a\) where \(a > 0\). [The M1 is dependent on the correct removal of logarithms.]M1
Obtain answer \(x = -0.605\) onlyA1
Total: 4 marks
Remove logarithms and obtain $5 - e^{-2x} = e^{\frac{1}{2}}$, or equivalent | B1 |
Obtain a correct value for $e^{-2x}$, $e^{2x}$, $e^{-x}$ or $e^x$, e.g. $e^{2x} = 1/(5 - e^{\frac{1}{2}})$ | B1 |
Use correct method to solve an equation of the form $e^{2x} = a$, $e^{-2x} = a$, $e^x = a$ or $e^{-x} = a$ where $a > 0$. [The M1 is dependent on the correct removal of logarithms.] | M1 |
Obtain answer $x = -0.605$ only | A1 |
| Total: 4 marks |

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Solve the equation
$$2\ln(5 - e^{-2x}) = 1,$$
giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures. [4]

\hfill \mbox{\textit{CAIE P3 2014 Q2 [4]}}