Edexcel C2 2007 June — Question 6 6 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleC2 (Core Mathematics 2)
Year2007
SessionJune
Marks6
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicExponential Equations & Modelling
TypeLogarithmic equation solving
DifficultyModerate -0.3 Part (a) is a straightforward exponential equation requiring taking logs of both sides—a standard C2 technique. Part (b) involves applying log laws to simplify and solve, which is routine but requires careful algebraic manipulation. Both parts are standard textbook exercises with no novel insight required, making this slightly easier than average.
Spec1.06f Laws of logarithms: addition, subtraction, power rules1.06g Equations with exponentials: solve a^x = b

6. (a) Find, to 3 significant figures, the value of \(x\) for which \(8 ^ { x } = 0.8\).
(b) Solve the equation $$2 \log _ { 3 } x - \log _ { 3 } 7 x = 1$$

Question 6:
Part (a):
AnswerMarks Guidance
\(x = \frac{\log 0.8}{\log 8}\) or \(\log_8 0.8\)M1, A1 Allow awrt \(-0.107\); allow 'implicit' answer \(8^{-0.107}\); answer \(-0.11\) or awrt scores M1 A0
Part (b):
AnswerMarks Guidance
\(2\log x = \log x^2\)B1
\(\log x^2 - \log 7x = \log \frac{x^2}{7x}\)M1
"Remove logs" to form equation in \(x\): \(\frac{x^2}{7x} = 3\)M1 Using base correctly
\(x = 21\)A1cso Ignore \(x = 0\) if seen
Alternative:
AnswerMarks Guidance
\(\log 7x + 1 = \log 7x + \log 3 = \log 21x\)M1
\(x^2 = 21x\)M1
\(x = 21\)A1 Ignore \(x = 0\) if seen
Alternative:
AnswerMarks
\(\log 7x = \log 7 + \log x\)B1
\(\log_3 x = 1 + \log_3 7\)M1
\(x = 3^{(1+\log_3 7)}\) or \(\log_3 x = \log_3 3 + \log_3 7\)M1
\(x = 21\)A1
## Question 6:

### Part (a):
| $x = \frac{\log 0.8}{\log 8}$ or $\log_8 0.8$ | M1, A1 | Allow awrt $-0.107$; allow 'implicit' answer $8^{-0.107}$; answer $-0.11$ or awrt scores M1 A0 |

### Part (b):
| $2\log x = \log x^2$ | B1 | |
| $\log x^2 - \log 7x = \log \frac{x^2}{7x}$ | M1 | |
| "Remove logs" to form equation in $x$: $\frac{x^2}{7x} = 3$ | M1 | Using base correctly |
| $x = 21$ | A1cso | Ignore $x = 0$ if seen |

**Alternative:**
| $\log 7x + 1 = \log 7x + \log 3 = \log 21x$ | M1 | |
| $x^2 = 21x$ | M1 | |
| $x = 21$ | A1 | Ignore $x = 0$ if seen |

**Alternative:**
| $\log 7x = \log 7 + \log x$ | B1 | |
| $\log_3 x = 1 + \log_3 7$ | M1 | |
| $x = 3^{(1+\log_3 7)}$ or $\log_3 x = \log_3 3 + \log_3 7$ | M1 | |
| $x = 21$ | A1 | |

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6. (a) Find, to 3 significant figures, the value of $x$ for which $8 ^ { x } = 0.8$.\\
(b) Solve the equation

$$2 \log _ { 3 } x - \log _ { 3 } 7 x = 1$$

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel C2 2007 Q6 [6]}}