C3 Exponentials and logarithms - Laws of logs PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

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1. (a) Simplify fully

2x 2 + 9x − 5
x 2 + 2 x − 15
(3)

Given that

ln(2x2 + 9x – 5) = 1 + ln(x2 + 2x – 15), x ≠ – 5,

(b) find x in terms of e.

(4)
(Total 7 marks)

2. (i) Find the exact solutions to the equations

(a) ln (3x – 7) = 5
(3)

(b) 3xe7x + 2 = 15
(5)

(ii) The functions f and g are defined by

f (x) = e2x + 3, x ∈

g(x) = ln (x – 1), x ∈ ,x>1

(a) Find f–1 and state its domain.

(4)

(b) Find fg and state its range.

(3)
(Total 15 marks)

Edexcel Internal Review 1

C3 Exponentials and logarithms - Laws of logs PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

3. Find the exact solutions to the equations

(a) ln x + ln 3 = ln 6,
(2)

(b) ex + 3e–x = 4.
(4)
(Total 6 marks)

4. Find, giving your answer to 3 significant figures where appropriate, the value of x for which

(a) 3x = 5,
(3)

(b) log2 (2x + 1) – log2 x = 2,

(4)

(c) ln sin x = –ln sec x, in the interval 0 < x < 90°.

(3)
(Total 10 marks)

5. Given that y = loga x, x > 0, where a is a positive constant,

(a) (i) express x in terms of a and y,

(1)

(ii) deduce that ln x = y ln a.

(1)

dy 1
(b) Show that = .
dx x ln a
(2)

Edexcel Internal Review 2

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The curve C has equation y = log10 x, x > 0. The point A on C has x-coordinate 10. Using the
result in part (b),

(c) find an equation for the tangent to C at A.

(4)

The tangent to C at A crosses the x-axis at the point B.

(d) Find the exact x-coordinate of B.

(2)
(Total 10 marks)

x 2 + 4x + 3
6. (a) Simplify .
x2 + x
(2)

(b) Find the value of x for which log2 (x2 + 4x + 3) – log2 (x2 + x) = 4.
(4)
(Total 6 marks)

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( x + 5)(2 x − 1) (2 x − 1)
1. (a) = M1 B1 A1 aef 3
( x + 5)( x − 3) ( x − 3)
Note
M1: An attempt to factorise the numerator.
B1: Correct factorisation of denominator to give (x + 5)(x – 3).
Can be seen anywhere.

 2x2 + 9x − 5 
(b) ln  2  =1 M1
 x + 2 x − 15 
2x2 + 9x − 5
=e dM1
x 2 + 2 x − 15
2x − 1
= e ⇒ 3e − 1 = x(e − 2) M1
x−3
3e − 1
⇒ x = A1 aef cso 4
e−2

Note
M1: Uses a correct law of logarithms to combine at least two terms.
This usually is achieved by the subtraction law of logarithms to give
 2x2 + 9x − 5 
ln  2  =1
 x + 2 x − 15 
The product law of logarithms can be used to achieve
ln (2x2 + 9x – 5) = ln (e(x2 + 2x – 15)).
The product and quotient law could also be used to achieve
 2x 2 + 9x – 5 
In  =0
( 
 e x + 2 x – 15 
2
)
dM1: Removing ln’s correctly by the realisation that the anti-ln of 1 is e.
Note that this mark is dependent on the previous method mark being awarded.
M1: Collect x terms together and factorise.
Note that this is not a dependent method mark.
3e – 1 3e1 – 1 1 – 3e
A1: or 1 or . aef
e–2 e –2 2–e
Note that the answer needs to be in terms of e. The decimal answer
is 9.9610559…
Note that the solution must be correct in order for you to award this
final accuracy mark.
[7]

2. (i) (a) ln(3x – 7) = 5

eln(3x – 7) = e5 Takes e of both sides of
the equation.

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This can be implied by

3x –7 = e5. M1
Then rearranges to make
x the subject. dM1
3x – 7 = e 5 ⇒
e5 + 7 e5 + 7
x= {= 51.804...} Exact answer of . A1 3
3 3

(b) 3xe7x+2 =15

ln (3xe7x+2) = ln15 Takes ln (or logs) of both
sides of the equation. M1
ln 3x + ln e7x+2 = ln15 Applies the addition law
of logarithms. M1
x ln 3 + 7x + 2 = ln15 x ln3 + 7x+2 = ln15 A1 oe
x(ln 3 + 7) =–2+ln15 Factorising out at least
two x terms on one side
and collecting number
terms on the other side. ddM1
– 2 + ln 15
x= {= 0.0874...} Exact answer of
7 + ln 3
– 2 + ln 15
A1 oe 5
7 + ln 3

(ii) (a) f(x) = e2x +3,x ∈

y = e2x +3 ⇒ y – 3 = e2x Attempt to make x
(or swapped y) the
subject M1
⇒ ln (y – 3)=2x
⇒ 1
2
ln y – 3 = x Makes e2x the subject
and takes ln of both sides M1
Hence f –1 (x ) = 12 ln (x – 3) 1
2
ln (x – 3) or ln (x – 3)
or f –1 (x ) = 12 ln ( y – 3)
(see appendix) A1 cao
f–1(x): Domain: x > 3
or (3, ∞) Either x > 3 or (3, ∞)
or Domain > 3. B1 4

Edexcel Internal Review 5

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(b) g(x)=ln(x – 1),x ∈ ,

x >1
fg(x) = e2ln(x – 1)+3
{=(x – 1)2 + 3} An attempt to put function
g into function f. M1
e2ln(x–1) +3 or (x –1)2 +3 or
x2 –2x + 4. A1 isw
fg(x) : Range: y > 3
or (3, ∞) Either y > 3 or (3, ∞) or
Range>3 or fg(x)>3. B1 3
[15]

6  3x 
3. (a) ln 3x = ln 6 or ln x = ln   or ln  = 0 M1
3  6 
x = 2 (only this answer) A1cso 2
Answer x = 2 with no working or no incorrect working seen: M1A1
ln 6
Note: x = 2 from ln x = = ln 2 M0A0
ln 3
ln x = ln 6 – ln 3 ⇒ x = e(ln 6 – ln 3) allow M1, x = 2
(no wrong working) A1

(b) (ex)2 – 4ex + 3 = 0 (any 3 term form) M1

(ex – 3)(ex – 1) = 0
ex = 3 or ex = 1 Solving quadratic M1dep
x = ln 3, x = 0 (or ln 1) M1A1 4
1st M1 for attempting to multiply through by ex : Allow y, X,
even x, for ex
nd
2 M1 is for solving quadratic as far as getting two values
for ex or y or X etc
3rd M1 is for converting their answer(s) of the form ex = k to x = lnk
(must be exact)
A1 is for ln3 and ln1 or 0 (Both required and no further
solutions)
[6]

4. (a) log3x = log5 M1

taking logs
log 5
x= or x log3 = log5 A1
log 3
= 1.46 cao A1 3

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2x + 1
(b) 2 = log2 x M1
2x + 1
= 4 or equivalent; B1
x
4
2x +1 = 4x M1
multiplying by x to get a linear equation
1
x= A1 4
2

(c) sec x = 1/ cos x B1

sin x = cos x ⇒ tan x = 1 x = 45 M1, A1 3
use of tan x
[10]

5. (a) (i) x = ay B1 1
ln x
(ii) In both sides of (i) i.e ln x = ln ay or ( y =) logax=
ln a
= y ln a * ⇒ y ln a = ln x B1cso 1
ylna
B1 x = e is BO
B1 Must see ln ay or use of change of base formula.

1 dy 1 1
(b) y= • ln x , ⇒ ,= × * M1, A1cso 2
ln a dx ln a x
 1 dy dy 1 
ALT. or = ⋅ ln a ,⇒ = ∗
 x dx dx x ln a 
M1, A1cso M1 needs some correct attempt at differentiating.

(c) log10 10 = 1 ⇒ A is (10, 1) yA = 1 B1

1 1
from(b) m= or or 0.043 (or better) B1
10 ln a 10 ln 10
equ of target y – 1 = m (x – 10)
i.e y − 1 =
1
(x − 10) or y = 1 x + 1 − 1 (o.e) A1 4
10 ln 10 10 ln 10 ln 10
B1 Allow either
M1 ft their yA and m

Edexcel Internal Review 7

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x 1  1 
(d) y = 0 in (c) ⇒ 0 = +1− ⇒ x, = 10 ln 10  − 1 M1
10 ln 10 ln 10  ln 10 
1
x = 10 – 10 ln 10 or 10(1 – ln10) or 10 ln 10( − 1) A1 2
ln 10
M1 Attempt to solve correct equation. Allow if a not = 10.
[10]

x 2 + 4x + 3 ( x + 3)( x + 1)
6. (a) = M1
x +x
2
x( x + 1)
Attempt to factorise numerator or denominator
x+3 3
= or 1 + or (x + 3)x–1 A1 2
x x

 x 2 + 4x + 3 
 
 
LHS = log2  x + x 
2
(b) M1 (*)
Use of log a – log b
RHS = 24 or 16 B1
x + 3 = 16x M1 (*)
Linear or quadratic equation in x
(*) dep
3 1
x= 15
or 5 or 0.2 A1 4
[6]

Edexcel Internal Review 8

C3 Exponentials and logarithms - Laws of logs PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

1. This question was well answered with candidates usually scoring either 3 marks (about 21%), or
5 marks (about 17%) or all 7 marks (about 46%).
The vast majority of candidates achieved all three marks in part (a). A significant minority of
candidates used an alternative method of long division and were invariably successful in
5
achieving the result of 2 + .
( x − 3)
The laws of logarithms caused problems for weaker candidates in part (b). Common errors
ln(2 x 2 + 9 x − 5)
including some candidates simplifying ln(2x2 + 9x – 5) – ln(x2 + 2x – 15) to
ln( x 2 + 2 x − 15)
or other candidates manipulating the equation ln(2x2 + 9x – 5) = 1 + ln(x2 + 2x – 15) into 2x2 +
9x – 5 = e1 + x2 + 2x – 15. Perhaps more disheartening was the number of candidates who were
2x −1
unable to make x the subject after correctly achieving = e , with some leaving a final
x−3
1 + ex − 3e
answer of x = . Those candidates who used long division in part (a) usually coped
2
better with making x the subject in part (b).

2. A large majority of candidates were able to gain all 3 marks in (i)(a). The most common mistake
was for candidates to make a slip when rearranging to give an answer of 12 (e5 – 7) . A small
minority of candidates, however, incorrectly manipulated ln(3x – 7) = 5 to give either ln 3x – ln
7 = 5 or 3x – 7 = ln 5. A few candidates gave the decimal answer of 51.804..., rather than the
exact answer.
A significant number of good candidates struggled with (i)(b), thus making this question
discriminating for capable candidates. The initial task of taking ln’s was often done incorrectly
with some candidates taking ln’s but ignoring the 3x term and other candidates replacing 3x by
3. A significant number of candidates attempted to combine the indices to obtain the incorrect
equation of 3e8x + 2 = 15. Another common error was for some candidates to write ln 3x (7x + 2)
 15 
= ln15. A number of candidates who wrote 7 x + 2 = 1n  x  , could not proceed any further.
3 
Some candidates often left solutions with x appearing on both sides and a small number who
successfully gained the first three marks did not know how to proceed further. Candidates
displayed total confusion at how to deal with the logarithm of a product and their general
logarithmic manipulation was very poor. Many of them seemed completely lost as to how to
approach the question, often attempting it several times. Having said this, examiners are pleased
to report that a significant minority of candidates were able to obtain the correct answer with
ease. Very few of these candidates were able to use elegant methods to arrive at the correct
answer.

Part (ii)(a) was generally very well done with many candidates scoring at least 3 of the 4 marks
available. Most candidates recognised the need for a “swapped y” method and were able to
obtain a correct inverse function. The order of operations was not as well understood by a
1n x – 1n 3
significant minority of candidates who usually found an inverse of .
2
Although a significant minority of candidates were able to correctly state the domain, of those
candidates who attempted to write down a domain, common incorrect responses included x ≥ 3,

Edexcel Internal Review 9

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x∈ or giving the domain in terms of y.

A majority of candidates found some success with finding the composite function fg(x) in part
(ii)(b) and it was pleasing to see how many candidates understood the order of composition.
Many candidates gained first 2 marks for initial form of fg(x) but struggled to simplify this, but
they were not penalised by the mark scheme for doing so. A minority of candidates with poor
bracketing lost the accuracy mark for fg(x) . The range was as poorly answered with some
candidates not appreciating the relevancy of the domain of f (x) in answering this question.
There were a number of capable candidates who incorrectly stated the range of fg (x) ≥ 3.

3. There were some good solutions to this question, but generally this was a very poor source of
marks; fully correct solutions were seen only from the better candidates In part (a), which was
ln 6
intended as a “nice” starter, statements like x + 3 = 6 and ln x = ln 6 – ln 3 = were quite
ln 3
common, and even candidates who reached the stage lnx = ln2 did not always produce the
correct answer x = 2; x = e2 and x = 1.99.., from x = e0.693, were not uncommon.
However, it was part (b) where so much poor work was seen; the fact that this required to be set
up as a quadratic in ex was missed by the vast majority of candidates. Besides the serious error
referred to in the introduction the following is a small selection of the more common “solutions”
seen: ex + 3e–x = 4 ⇒ ex(1 + 3–1) = 4 (which fortuitously gave x = ln3);
ex + 3e–x = 4 ⇒ ex(1 + 3e–2x) = 4 ⇒ ex = 4 or e–2x = 1;
 −3 
ex + 3e–x = 4 ⇒ e2x – 4ex = –3 ⇒ ex(ex – 4) = –3 ⇒ x = ln x .
e −4

4. The majority of candidates gained the marks in part (a) although a few did not giver their
answer to 3 significant figures. Part (b) was well answered by those who understood logs. Most
did combine the logs correctly, but some did still split it up into log22x + log2 x or
log 2 (2 x + 1)
. Many candidates found the combination of logs and trig functions beyond them.
log 2 x
sin x = -1/sec x was a frequent indicator of poor understanding, though many did display they
knew sec x = 1/cos x. Quotient lines often slipped, ln 1/cos x becoming 1/ln cos x.

5. Part (a) (i) was usually answered well but the provision of the answers in the next two parts
meant that a number of candidates failed to score full marks either through failing to show
sufficient working, or by the inclusion of an incorrect step or statement.
ln x
The most successful approach to part (b) started from y = but there was sometimes poor
ln a
ln x x dy 1
use of logs such as = ln x − ln a = ln   ; incorrect notation such as ln x = ,or errors
ln a a dx x
1
in differentiation when appeared.
a
In part (c) the process for finding an equation for the tangent was usually well known but some
candidates did not appreciate that the gradient should be a constant and gave a non-linear

Edexcel Internal Review 10

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equation for their tangent. Some confused ln10 with log1010. Many candidates had problems
working exactly in the final part and others ignored this instruction and gave an answer of
–13.02.

6. Part (a) was a straightforward start to the paper with most candidates able to factorise and
simplify perfectly. A few attempted to use long division but this often led to errors, and some
weaker candidates simply cancelled the x 2 in the numerator and denominator of the expression.
The second part of this question turned out to be more testing, and it was clear that a number of
candidates were not fully familiar with the rules of logarithms. Simply crossing out log 2 was
log a
sometimes seen and a large number of candidates thought that log a − log b ≡ . Those
log b
 x+3
successfully reaching log 2   then had difficulty relating the base 2 with the 4 and
 x 
common errors included 42 log2 4, 4 log e. Even those who successfully arrived at 15x = 3 were
not yet home and dry, as a surprising number concluded that x = 5.

Edexcel Internal Review 11