7 Logarithmic Functions

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Activity 7.2 (p. 7.39)
1. y = log10 x
x 0.3 0.6 1 2 3 4
$FWLYLW\ y –0.5 –0.2 0 0.3 0.5 0.6
y = log 2 x
Activity 7.1 (p. 7.6)
x 0.3 0.6 1 2 3 4
1. ɻ 10 = 101
y –1.7 –0.7 0 1 1.6 2
ɺ log10 = 1
ɻ 100 = 10 2
ɺ log100 = 2
ɻ 1000 = 103
ɺ log1000 = 3
ɻ 10 000 = 104
ɺ log10 000 = 4

2. (a) (i) log10 + log10 = 1 + 1 = 2

log(10 • 10) = log100 = 2

(ii) log10 + log100 = 1 + 2 = 3

log(10 • 100) = log1000 = 3
2. (a) No (b) Yes

(iii) log100 + log100 = 2 + 2 = 4 3. (a) Yes, (1, 0)

log(100 • 100) = log10 000 = 4 (b) Range of x Values of y
0<x<1 negative
(b) log( MN ) = log M + log N
x>1 positive

3. (a) (i) log100 − log10 = 2 − 1 = 1 (c) increases

§ 100 · 
log ¨ ¸ = log10 = 1
© 10 ¹ 
0DWKV'LDORJXH
(ii) log10 000 − log100 = 4 − 2 = 2
Maths Dialogue (p. 7.14)
§ 10 000 ·
log ¨ ¸ = log100 = 2 ‘log’ is not a common factor of log(x – 2), log 3 and log (2x + 5).
© 100 ¹ So, we cannot simply cross out the ‘log’ on both sides at the first
step.
(iii) log10 000 − log10 = 4 − 1 = 3
§ 10 000 ·
log ¨ ¸ = log1000 = 3 7R/HDUQ0RUH
© 10 ¹
To Learn More (p. 7.21)
§M · Let x = 111333, y =222222 and z = 333111.
(b) log ¨ ¸ = log M − log N
©N ¹ x = 111333
log x = log111333
4. (a) (i) log10 2 = log100 = 2
= 333log111
2log(10) = 2 × 1 = 2 = 681.09 (cor. to 2 d.p.)
y = 222222
(ii) log103 = log1000 = 3
log y = log 222222
3log10 = 3 × 1 = 3 = 222log 222
= 520.89 (cor. to 2 d.p.)
(iii) log105 = log100000 = 5
z = 333111
5log10 = 5 × 1 = 5 log z = log 333111
= 111log 333
(b) log M n = n log M = 279.99 (cor. to 2 d.p.)
From the above, we have log z < log y < log x.
Hence, z < y < x, i.e. 333111 < 222222 < 111333 .

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

&ODVVZRUN Classwork (p. 7.46)

(a) (i) 8 (ii) 9 (iii) 9
Classwork (p. 7.4) (b) (i) 9 (ii) 9 (iii) 9
Exponential form (c) (i) 9 (ii) 8
Logarithmic form
(x = 10y) (log x = y)
Classwork (p. 7.51)
(a) 1 000 000 = 106 log 1 000 000 = 6 (a) log3.356 = 0.5250 + 0.0008
(b) 10 000 = 104 log 10 000 = 4 = 0.5258

(c) 0.01 = 10–2 log 0.01 = –2

(b) log 0.037 = log(3.7 × 10 −2 )
(d) a = 100.5 log a = 0.5 = log3.7 + log10 −2
(e) 30 = 10b log 30 = b = 0.5682 + (−2)
= −1.4318
Classwork (p. 7.5)
(a) log12 ≈ 1.08 Classwork (p. 7.53)
(a) If log x = 0.7456 ,
(b) log 334 ≈ 2.52
then x = 100.7456
(c) log 0.18 ≈ −0.745
= 5.559 + 0.008
§1· = 5.567
(d) log ¨ ¸ ≈ −1.08
© 12 ¹
(e) log 215 ≈ 4.52 (b) If log x = 4.725 ,
(f) log 3 ≈ 0.239 then x = 104.725
= 100.725 × 10 4
Classwork (p. 7.7) = 5.309 × 10 000
(a) 8 (b) 8 (c) 8 (d) 9 = 53 090
(e) 9 (f) 8 (g) 9 (h) 8
(i) 8 (j) 9

Classwork (p. 7.24) 4XLFN3UDFWLFH

Exponential form Logarithmic form
(x = ay) (loga x = y) Quick Practice 7.1 (p. 7.4)
(a) 36 = 62 log 6 36 = 2 (a) ɻ 100 000 = 105
ɺ log 100 000 = 5
(b) 81 = 34 log3 81 = 4
(b) ɻ 0.0001 = 10−4
1 §1·
(c) = 4 −1 log 4 ¨ ¸ = −1 ɺ log 0.0001 = −4
4 ©4¹
1
(c) ɻ = 10−4
1 § 1 · 10 000
(d) = 8−3 log8 ¨ ¸ = −3
512 © 512 ¹ § 1 ·
ɺ log ¨ ¸ = −4
© 10 000 ¹
Classwork (p. 7.26)
(a) log3 8 ≈ 1.89 Quick Practice 7.2 (p. 7.5)
(b) log5 4 ≈ 0.861 (a) ɻ 10 y = 18
ɺ y = log 18
(c) log4 0.2 ≈ −1.16
= 1.26 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
(d) log2.3 4 ≈ 1.66
(e) log 1 6 ≈ −1.63 (b) ɻ log x = 1.2
ɺġ ġ ġ ġ x = 101.2
3

§2·
(f) log4 ¨ ¸ ≈ −0.292 = 15.8 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
©3¹

Classwork (p. 7.41) Quick Practice 7.3 (p. 7.8)

(a) 9 (a) log 4 + log 25 = log(4 × 25)
(b) 9 = log100
(c) 8 = log102
=2

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

(b) log 90 − 2log 3 = log 90 − log 32 (b) log 40 = log(2 2 × 10)

= log 90 − log 9 = log 22 + log10
§ 90 · = 2log 2 + 1
= log ¨ ¸
© 9 ¹ = 2a + 1
= log10
=1 § 3·
(c) log ¨ ¸ = log 3 – log 5
©5¹
log 9 log 32 10
(c) = = log3 – log
log 27 log 33 2
2log 3 = log 3 – (log 10 – log2)
=
3log 3 = b – (1 – a)
2 = a + b −1
=
3
Quick Practice 7.6 (p. 7.13)
(a) ɻ log(3 x − 8) = 1
Quick Practice 7.4 (p. 7.9)
ɺ 3 x − 8 = 10
log x 2 − log x 2log x − log x
(a) = 3 x = 18
log x 3 3log x
x=6
log x
=
3log x
(b) ɻ log( x − 5) − log x = 1
1
= § x −5·
3 ɺ log ¨ ¸ =1
© x ¹
x−5
log x 2 log x 2 = 10
(b) = 1 x
log x + log x
log x 2 + log x x − 5 = 10 x
2log x −5 = 9 x
=
1 5
log x + log x x = − (rejected)
2 9
=
2log x ɺ log( x − 5) − log x = 1 has no solutions.
3
log x
2 Quick Practice 7.7 (p. 7.13)
4 log(2 x − 3) = log( x + 3) − log 2
=
3 § x + 3·
log(2 x − 3) = log ¨ ¸
© 2 ¹
Alternative Solution x+3
2x − 3 =
log x 2 log x 2 2
=
log x + log x
1
4x − 6 = x + 3
log x 2 + log x
3x = 9
log x 2
= 1 x=3
log( x • x)
2

log x 2 Quick Practice 7.8 (p. 7.15)

= 3
2
(a) 3 x +1 = 2
log x
log 3x +1 = log 2
2log x
= ( x + 1)log 3 = log 2
3
log x
2 log 2
x +1 =
4 log 3
=
3 log 2
x= −1
log 3
Quick Practice 7.5 (p. 7.10) = −0.369 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
(a) log18 = log(2 × 32 )
= log 2 + log 32
= log 2 + 2log3
= a + 2b

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

(b) 4 x = 5 x −1 Quick Practice 7.12 (p. 7.21)

Suppose the value of the mobile phone becomes less than half of
log 4 x = log 5 x −1 its original value after n months.
x log 4 = ( x − 1)log 5 ɻ V (1 − 5%) n < 0.5V
x log 4 = x log 5 − log 5 ɺ V (0.95) n < 0.5V
x(log 4 − log 5) = − log 5
0.95n < 0.5
− log 5
x= log 0.95n < log 0.5
log 4 − log 5
n log 0.95 < log 0.5
= 7.21 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
log 0.5
n>
log 0.95
Quick Practice 7.9 (p. 7.18)
The corresponding sound intensity level n > 13.51...
§ 10 −8 · ɺ It takes at least 14 months for the value of the mobile phone
= 10log ¨ −12 ¸ dB to become less than half of its original value.
© 10 ¹
= 10log10 4 dB Quick Practice 7.13 (p. 7.24)
= 10 × 4 dB (a) ɻ 49 = 7 2
= 40 dB ɺ log 7 49 = 2

Quick Practice 7.10 (p. 7.18) 1 1

(b) ɻ = = 3−4
Let I W/m2 be the required sound intensity. 81 34
§ I · §1·
54 = 10log ¨ −12 ¸ ɺ log 3 ¨ ¸ = −4
© 10 ¹ © 81 ¹
§ I ·
5.4 = log ¨ −12 ¸ 5
© 10 ¹ (c) ɻ 32 = 25 = 2 2
I 5
105.4 = −12 ɺ log 2 32 =
10 2
I = 105.4 × 10 −12
= 10 −6.6 Quick Practice 7.14 (p. 7.27)
= 2.51 × 10−7 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) (a) log 4 32 + log 4 8 = log 4 (32 × 8)
ɺ The sound intensity of the conversation is 2.51 × 10−7 W/m2. = log 4 256
= log 4 44
Quick Practice 7.11 (p. 7.20) =4
Let E1 and E2 be the energy released in the Great Chilean
Earthquake and the Ridgecrest Earthquake respectively.
2 (b) log 5 40 − 3log 5 2 = log 5 40 − log 5 23
9.5 = log E1 + K ......(1)
3 = log 5 40 − log 5 8
2 § 40 ·
and 7.1 = log E2 + K ......(2) = log 5 ¨ ¸
3 © 8 ¹
(1) – (2):
= log 5 5
§2 · §2 ·
9.5 − 7.1 = ¨ log E1 + K ¸ − ¨ log E2 + K ¸ =1
©3 ¹ ©3 ¹
2 §E ·
2.4 = log ¨ 1 ¸ log 9
3 © E2 ¹ (c) log 27 9 =
log 27
§E ·
log ¨ 1 ¸ = 3.6 log 32
=
© E2 ¹ log 33
E1 2log 3
= 103.6 =
E2 3log 3
= 3980 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) 2
=
ɺ The energy released in the Great Chilean Earthquake was 3
3980 times that in the Ridgecrest Earthquake.

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

Alternative Solution (c) log 4 ( x + 1) = log 2 3

log 3 9 log 2 ( x + 1)
log 27 9 = = log 2 3
log 3 27 log 2 4
log 3 32 log 2 ( x + 1)
= = log 2 3
log 3 33 log 2 2 2
=
2 log 2 ( x + 1)
= log 2 3
3 2
log 2 ( x + 1) = 2log 2 3
Quick Practice 7.15 (p. 7.27) log 2 ( x + 1) = log 2 32
§ x2 · x +1 = 9
(a) log 3 ¨ ¸ − 3log 3 x + log 3 (4 x)
© 4¹ x=8
§ x2 ·
= log 3 ¨ ¸ − log 3 x 3 + log 3 (4 x )
© 4¹ Quick Practice 7.17 (p. 7.33)
§x 2
· (a) y = ab x
¨ • 4x ¸ log 3 y = log 3 (ab x )
= log 3 ¨ 4 ¸
¨ x
3
¸ log 3 y = log 3 a + log 3 b x
¨ ¸
© ¹ ɺ log 3 y = (log 3 b) x + log 3 a
= log 3 1
=0 (b) From (a), we have
log 3 y = (log 3 b) x + log 3 a
log x 2 ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, 1).
log 3 x 2 log 3 ɺ log 3 a = 1
(b) =
log 9 x log x a=3
log 9
0 −1
log x 2 log 9 ɻ Slope of the line =
= × −2 − 0
log 3 log x ɺ log 3 b = 0.5
log x 2 log 32 b = 30.5
= ×
log 3 log x = 1.73 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
2log x 2log 3
= ×
log 3 log x Quick Practice 7.18 (p. 7.35)
=4 (a) y = mx
n

log 25 y = log 25 ( mx n )
§1 3· §3 ·§ 1 · log 5 (mx n )
(c) ¨ log y x ¸ (log x y ) = ¨ log y x ¸¨ log x y ¸ log 25 y =
©2 ¹ ©2 ¹© 2 ¹ log 5 25
§ 3log x ·§ log y · log 5 (mx n )
=¨ ¸¨ ¸ log 25 y =
© 2log y ¹© 2log x ¹ log 5 52
3 log 5 (mx n )
= log 25 y =
4 2
1
log 25 y = (log 5 m + log 5 x n )
Quick Practice 7.16 (p. 7.29) 2
(a) log 5 (2 x + 1) = 3 n 1
log 25 y = (log 5 x) + log 5 m
2 x + 1 = 53 2 2
2 x = 124
(b) From (a), we have
x = 62 n 1
log 25 y = (log 5 x) + log 5 m
2 2
(b) log 3 x − log 3 ( x − 6) = 1 ɻ The intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is –1.
§ x · 1
log 3 ¨ ¸ =1 ɺ log 5 m = −1
© x−6¹ 2
x log 5 m = −2
=3
x−6 m = 5 −2
x = 3 x − 18 1
=
2 x = 18 25
x=9

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

−1 − (−6) 5 x
ɻ Slope of the line = =− ɺ T=
0−4 4 60
n 5 130.499 349 4
ɺ =− ≈
2 4 60
5 = 2.17 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
n=−
2
Quick Practice 7.20 (p. 7.44)
(c) (i) From (b), we have (a)
1 − 52
y= x
25
When x = 0.25,
5
1 −
y = (0.25) 2
25
1
= (0.5) −5
25
−5
1 §1·
= ¨ ¸
25 © 2 ¹
32
=
25
(i) From the graph, when x = 2.3, y = –1.2.
(ii) From (b), we have ɺ log 1 2.3 = −1.2
1 − 52 2
y= x log 1 3.5 log 1 3.5
25
When y = 40.96 , (ii) log 2 3.5 = 2
= 2
−1
= − log 1 3.5
log 1 2 §1· 2
5 log 1 ¨ ¸
1 −
2©
40.96 = x 2
2
2¹
25
5 From the graph, when x = 3.5, y = –1.8.
−
x 2
= 1024 ɺ log 1 3.5 = −1.8
2 2
−
x = 1024 5
ɺ log 2 3.5 = − log 1 3.5
1 2
=
16 = −(−1.8)
= 1.8
Quick Practice 7.19 (p. 7.36)
(a) When x = 0 , (b)
W = 0.3log 6 (1) + 2.5
= 2.5
ɺ The initial weight of the substance is 2.5 mg.

(b) When x = 60 ,
W = 0.3log 6 [(3 × 60) + 1] + 2.5
= 3.37 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
ɺ The weight of the substance 1 hour after the chemical
reaction starts is 3.37 mg.

(c) When W = 3.5 ,

3.5 = 0.3log 6 (3x + 1) + 2.5
(i) From the graph, when y = –2.2, x = 4.6.
0.3log 6 (3 x + 1) = 1
ɺ The solution of log 1 x = −2.2 is x = 4.6.
10
log 6 (3 x + 1) = 2
3 (ii) log 2 x = −1.3
10
3x + 1 = 6 3 − log 1 x = −1.3
2
10
6 −1 3 log 1 x = 1.3
x= 2
3
x ≈ 130.499 349 4 From the graph, when y = 1.3, x = 0.4.
ɺ The solution of log 2 x = −1.3 is x = 0.4.

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

)XUWKHU3UDFWLFH § 3y ·
(b) 3log x − log(3 y ) + log ¨ 3 ¸
©x ¹
Further Practice (p. 7.10)
§ 3y ·
1. (a) log 5 + log8 + log 25 = log(5 × 8 × 25) = log x 3 − log(3 y ) + log ¨ 3 ¸
©x ¹
= log1000
§ 3 3y ·
= log103 ¨ x • x3 ¸
= log ¨ ¸
=3
¨¨ ¸¸
3y
© ¹
= log1
(b) log 6 − log15 − log 4 = log §¨
6 ·
¸ =0
© 15 × 4 ¹
§1·
= log ¨ ¸
© 10 ¹ Further Practice (p. 7.15)
1. (a) log(x + 1) = –3
= log10−1
x + 1 = 10−3
= −1
x = 10−3 − 1
x = −0.999
1 §1·
(c) log81 + log ¨ ¸ − log 3000
2 © 3¹
(b) log(2 x − 4) = log x − 1
1
–1
log(2 x − 4) = log x − log10
= log 81 2
+ log 3 – log 3000
§ x·
log(2 x − 4) = log ¨ ¸
= log 9 − log 3 – log 3000 © 10 ¹
x
§ 9 · 2x − 4 =
= log ¨ ¸ 10
© 3 × 3000 ¹ 20 x − 40 = x
§ 1 · 19 x = 40
= log ¨ ¸
© 1000 ¹ x = 2.11 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
–3
= log 10
= −3 (c) log( x + 2) + log 4 = log( x − 1)
log[4( x + 2)] = log( x − 1)
§ 10 · 4( x + 2) = x − 1
2. (a) 4log x − log x 2 + 2log ¨ ¸
© x¹ 4x + 8 = x − 1
= 4log x − 2log x + 2(log10 − log x) 3 x = −9
= 2log x + 2 − 2log x x = −3 (rejected)
=2 ɺ log( x + 2) + log 4 = log( x − 1) has no solutions.

x–1
1 2. (a) 4 =3
3log x − log x log 4 x −1 = log 3
3log x − log x 2
(b) =
log x 2 2log x ( x − 1)log 4 = log 3
1 log 3
3− x −1 =
= 2 log 4
2 log 3
5 x= +1
= log 4
4
x = 1.79 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

1
x
4log( x y ) 4log( x 2 y ) § 3·
3. (a) = (b) ¨ ¸ =4
log( xy 2 ) log x + log y 2 ©5¹
x
§ 3·
1
4(log x 2 + log y ) log ¨ ¸ = log 4
= ©5¹
log x + 2log y
§3·
§1 · x log ¨ ¸ = log 4
4 ¨ log x + log y ¸ ©5¹
= © 2 ¹
log 4
log x + 2log y x=
§3·
2(log x + 2log y ) log ¨ ¸
= ©5¹
log x + 2log y
= −2.71 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
=2

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

(c) 4 x = 3(5 x ) (b) log 5 ( x + 2) + log 1 3 = log 5 x

x 5
4
=3 log 5 3
5x log 5 ( x + 2) + = log 5 x
§1·
x log 5 ¨ ¸
§4· ©5¹
¨ ¸ =3
©5¹ log 5 3
x log 5 ( x + 2) + = log 5 x
§4· log 5 5−1
log ¨ ¸ = log 3
©5¹ log 5 ( x + 2) − log 5 3 = log 5 x
§4· § x+ 2·
x log ¨ ¸ = log 3
©5¹
log 5 ¨ ¸ = log 5 x
© 3 ¹
x=
log 3 x+2
=x
§4· 3
log ¨ ¸
©5¹ x + 2 = 3x
= −4.92 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) 2x = 2
x =1
Alternative Solution
4 x = 3(5 x )
log 4 x = log[3(5 x )] ([HUFLVH
log 4 = log 3 + log 5
x x

Exercise 7A (p. 7.10)

x log 4 = log 3 + x log 5
Level 1
x(log 4 − log 5) = log 3 1. (a) ɻ 1 000 000 = 106
log 3 ɺ log 1 000 000 = 6
x=
log 4 − log 5
= −4.92 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
(b) ɻ 100 000 000 = 108
ɺ log 100 000 000 = 8
Further Practice (p. 7.29)
§2·
1. (a) log 2 ¨ ¸ = log 2 2 − log 2 3 2. (a) ɻ 0.001 = 10−3
©3¹
ɺ log 0.001 = −3
=1− p

1
(b) ɻ = 10 −5
(b) log 2 9 = log 2 3
2
100 000
= 2 log 2 3
§ 1 ·
= 2p ɺ log ¨ ¸ = −5
© 100 000 ¹

(c) log 2 12 = log 2 (3 × 22 ) 3. (a) log 3 = 0.477 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

= log 2 3 + log 2 2 2

(b) log 456 = 2.66 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

= p+2
4. (a) log1.71 = 0.233 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
log 2 2
(d) log 3 2 = (b) log 0.196 = −0.708 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
log 2 3
1
= § 125 ·
p 5. (a) log ¨ ¸ = 1.80 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
© 2 ¹

2. (a) logx 9 = 2 §3·

(b) log ¨ ¸ = −0.368 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
9= x 2 ©7¹
x = 3 or x = −3 (rejected) 6. (a) ɻ 10 y = 120
ɺ y = log 120
= 2.08 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

(b) ɻ 10 y = 2.5
ɺ y = log 2.5
= 0.398 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

3 log 25 log 52
(c) ɻ 10 y = 13. = 3
8 log 125
log 5 2
§ 3·
ɺ y = log ¨ ¸ 2log 5
©8¹ =
3
= −0.426 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) log 5
2
4
7 =
7. (a) ɻ log x = 3
18
7

14. log(5 x) + log §¨ ·¸ = log §¨ 5 x • ·¸

ɺ x = 1018 2 2
= 2.45 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) ©x¹ © x¹
= log10
(b) ɻ log x = 2.46 =1
ġ ġ ɺ x = 10 2.46

= 288 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) § x· § x·

15. log(10x) − log ¨ ¸ = log ¨10 x ÷ ¸
© 10 ¹ © 10 ¹
(c) ɻ log x = −1.35 § 10 ·
= log ¨10 x • ¸
ɺ x = 10−1.35 © x¹
= log100
= 0.0447 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
= log102
8. log 20 + log 50 = log(20 × 50) =2
= log1000
= log103 log x 5 5log x
16. =
log x 2 2log x
=3
5
=
2
§ 300 ·
9. log300 − log3 = log ¨ ¸
© 3 ¹ 1
= log100 log x log x 2
17. =
= log102 log x 3 log x 3
=2 1
log x
=2
§ 1 · 3log x
§1· ¨ ¸ 1
10. log ¨ ¸ − log 50 = log ¨ 2 ¸ =
©2¹ ¨¨ 50 ¸¸ 6
© ¹
§ 1 · 2 log x 2 log x
= log ¨ ¸ 18. =
© 100 ¹ log x + log x 4 log x + 4 log x
= log10−2 2 log x
=
= −2 5 log x
2
=
11. 2log 5 + log 40 = log 52 + log 40 5
= log(25 × 40)
= log1000 1
log x
log x 2
= log10 3
19. 1
=
1
=3 log x 2 − log x 3 2log x − log x
3
1
log 4 log 22 log x
12. = =2
log 32 log 25 5
log x
2log 2 3
= 3
5log 2 =
2 10
=
5

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

20. (a) log 4 = log 2

2
§ 25 × 60 ·
23. log 25 − log15 + log 60 = log ¨ ¸
= 2log 2 © 15 ¹
= 2a = log100
= log102
(b) log 20 = log(2 × 10) =2
= log 2 + log10
= a +1 24. 2log 4 + 3log 5 − log 2 = log 42 + log 53 − log 2
§ 4 2 × 53 ·
= log ¨ ¸
§1· © 2 ¹
(c) log ¨ ¸ = log 2 −3
©8¹ = log1000
= −3log 2
= log103
= −3a
=3

§ 1 ·
(d) log ¨ ¸ = log(2 2 × 10) −1 § 18 ·
© 40 ¹ log ¨ ¸
log 18 − log 2 © 2¹
25. =
= −(log 2 2 + log10) log 27 log 27
= −2log 2 − log10 log 9
=
= −2a − 1 log 27
log 32
=
21. (a) log 12 = log(22 × 3) log 33
= log 22 + log 3 2 log 3
=
= 2 log 2 + log 3 3 log 3
= 2x + y 2
=
3
§ 3·
(b) log ¨ ¸ = log 3 − log 8 1
©8¹ log 2 − log 2 log 2 − log 2 2
= log 3 − log 23 26. =
§1· log 2−1
log ¨ ¸
= log 3 − 3 log 2 ©2¹
= y − 3x 1
log 2 − log 2
= 2
1 − log 2
(c) log 18 = log(2 × 32 ) 2 1
1
log 2
= log(2 2 × 3) = 2
− log 2
1
= log 2 2 + log 3 1
=−
2
1
= log 2 + log 3
2
x 27. log(2 x 3 ) − 5log x + log(5 x 2 ) = log(2 x3 ) − log x5 + log(5 x 2 )
= +y
2 § 2 x3 • 5x 2 ·
= log ¨ ¸
© x5 ¹
Level 2 = log10
3
22. (a) log 1000 = log(10 2 ) =1
3
=
2 § x2 · §1·
28. log ¨ ¸ + 2log(4 x) + 4log ¨ ¸
© 16 ¹ © x¹
1
§ x2 ·
4
1 −
= log(10 2 ) §1·
(b) log = log ¨ ¸ + log(4 x) 2 + log ¨ ¸
10 © 16 ¹ © x¹
1
=− § x2 1 ·
2 = log ¨ • 16 x 2 • 4 ¸
© 16 x ¹
2
= log1
−
(c) log 3 0.01 = log(10 3 ) =0
2
=−
3

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

§1· § 32 × 5 ·
log ¨ ¸ − log x 34. (a) log 4.5 = log ¨ ¸
©x¹ log x −1 − log x © 10 ¹
29. = 1
log x = log 32 + log 5 − log10
log x 2
−log x − log x = 2log 3 + log 5 − log10
=
1 = 2x + y −1
log x
2
−2 log x
= (b) log 108 = log(33 × 4)
1
log x § 100 ·
2 = log 33 + log ¨ ¸
= −4 © 25 ¹
= 3log 3 + log100 − log 25
1 = 3log 3 + log102 − log 52
log x 2 − log x 2 log x − log x 2
30. = 1
= 3log 3 + 2 − 2log 5
log x 2 + log x
2 log x + log x 2 = 3x − 2 y + 2
1
2 log x − log x
= 2 1
1 § 9 × 100 · 2
2 log x + log x (c) log 180 = log ¨ ¸
2 © 5 ¹
3 1
log x = (log 32 + log10 2 − log 5)
=2 2
5 1
log x = (2log 3 + 2 − log 5)
2 2
3
= 1
= (2 x + 2 − y )
5 2
y
= x − +1
log x 2 − log y 2log x − log y 2
31. =
log x 4 − log y 2 4log x − 2log y
2log x − log y 35. (a) log 98 = log(2 × 7 2 )
=
2(2log x − log y ) 1

1 = log 4 2 + log 7 2
= log 4
2 = + 2log 7
2
m
§ x3 y 4 · = + 2n
log ¨ 4 ¸ 2
log(x y ) − log(xy )
3 4 4
© xy ¹
32.
3
= 1
log x 3
log x 3 (b) log 56 = log(2 × 7)
log x 2 = log 23 + log 7
= 1 3
log x 3 § 1·
= log ¨ 4 2 ¸ + log 7
2 log x © ¹
=
1 3
log x = log 4 2 + log 7
3
=6 3
= log 4 + log 7
2
3m
2log x 3 − 3log x 4 6log x − 12log x = +n
33. = 2
log( xy 2 ) − 2log( xy ) log( xy 2 ) − log( x 2 y 2 )
−6log x
= (c) log140 = log(2 × 7 ×10)
§ xy 2 ·
log ¨ 2 2 ¸ 1

©x y ¹ = log 4 2 + log 7 + log10

−6log x 1
= = log 4 + log 7 + log10
log( x −1 ) 2
−6log x m
= + n +1
=
− log x 2
=6

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

§ 7 · Exercise 7B (p. 7.16)

(d) log ¨ ¸ = log 7 − log 40 Level 1
© 40 ¹
1. ɻġ log(2 x) = 1 ġ
= log 7 − log(4 × 10)
ġ ɺġ ġ 2 x = 10
= log 7 − log 4 − log10 ġ
x=5
= n − m −1
2. ɻ log( x + 1) = 1
(e) log 35 = log(5 × 7) ɺ x + 1 = 10
= log 5 + log 7 x=9
10
= log + log 7 3. ɻ log(2 x − 1) = 0
2
1
ɺ 2x − 1 = 1
= log10 − log 4 + log 7
2
x =1
1
= log10 − log 4 + log 7
2 4. ɻ log(3 x + 4) = 2
m ɺ 3 x + 4 = 102
= n +1−
2 3 x = 96
x = 32
1
(f) log 112 = log112
2 5. ɻ log(3 x − 2) = −1
1 ɺ 3 x − 2 = 10−1
= log(4 2 × 7)
2 21
1 3x =
= (log 42 + log 7) 10
2 7
1 x=
= (2log 4 + log 7) 10
2
=m+
n 6. ɻ log(4 x + 3) = −1
2 ɺ 4 x + 3 = 10−1
29
36. log 30 = log(3 × 10) 4x = −
10
1
29
= log(9 2 × 10) x=−
1
40
= log 9 2 + log 10
7. log( x + 3) = log15
1
= log 9 + 1 x + 3 = 15
2
x x = 12
= +1
2
8. log(x – 3) = log(3 – 2x)
37. For b = 8, x − 3 = 3 − 2x
log 4 log 4 2log 2 2 3x = 6
= = =
log b log8 3log 2 3 x = 2 (rejected)
4 4 1
= = ɺ log(x – 3) = log(3 – 2x) has no solutions.
b 8 2
9. log(5 x − 2) = 3log 2
log 4 4
ɺġ ≠ for b = 8. log(5 x − 2) = log 23
log b b
ɺ Amy’s claim is disagreed. 5x − 2 = 8
5 x = 10
38. For a = 2 and b = 5, x=2
log a + log b = log (ab) = log 10 = 1
which is a rational number. 10. log( x − 1) − 2log 5 = 0
ɺ Joseph’s claim is disagreed.
log( x − 1) = 2log 5
log( x − 1) = log 52
x − 1 = 25
x = 26

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

11. log(2 x + 1) − 2log 3 = 0 §4·

x −3

log(2 x + 1) = 2log 3
18. ¨ ¸ = 12
©5¹
log(2 x + 1) = log 3 2
§4·
x −3

2x + 1 = 9 log ¨ ¸ = log12
©5¹
2x = 8 §4·
x=4 ( x − 3)log ¨ ¸ = log12
©5¹
log12
x−3=
12.
log 9
− log(7 − 2 x ) = 0 §4·
log ¨ ¸
2 ©5¹
log 9 log12
= log(7 − 2 x) x= +3
2 §4·
1 log ¨ ¸
log 9 2 = log(7 − 2 x) ©5¹
= −8.14 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
log 3 = log(7 − 2 x)
3 = 7 − 2x
2x = 4 19. 4(6 x ) = 5
x=2 6x =
5
4
13. log( x − y ) = log(3 x) §5·
log 6 x = log ¨ ¸
x − y = 3x ©4¹
y = −2 x §5·
x log 6 = log ¨ ¸
©4¹
14. log( x + y ) = 1 §5·
log ¨ ¸
x + y = 10 x= ©4¹
y = 10 − x log 6
= 0.125 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

§ x·
15. log ¨ ¸ = −1 20. 4(52 x ) = 5.5
© y¹
x log(4 × 52 x ) = log 5.5
= 10−1
y log 4 + log 52 x = log 5.5
x 1 2 x log 5 = log 5.5 − log 4
=
y 10 log 5.5 − log 4
x=
y = 10 x 2log 5
x = 0.0989 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
16. 2x = 9
log 2 x = log 9 21. 3x • 4 x = 7
x log 2 = log 9 12 x = 7

x=
log 9 log12 x = log 7
log 2 x log12 = log 7
= 3.17 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) log 7
x=
log12
17. 3 x +1 = 8 = 0.783 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
log 3x +1 = log8
( x + 1)log 3 = log8 Level 2
log8 22. log(7 x − 2) − log 2 = log 6
x +1 =
log 3 § 7x − 2 ·
log ¨ ¸ = log 6
log8 © 2 ¹
x= −1 7x − 2
log 3 =6
= 0.893 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) 2
7 x − 2 = 12
7 x = 14
x=2

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

23. log( x + 3) = log( x − 3) + log 4 29. log (2 x) = log (4 x − 5) − 1

log( x + 3) = log[4( x − 3)] log (2 x) = log (4 x − 5) − log10
x + 3 = 4 x − 12 § 4x − 5 ·
log (2 x) = log ¨ ¸
3 x = 15 © 10 ¹
x=5 4x − 5
2x =
10
24. log(2 x − 1) − log( x − 2) = 3log 2 20 x = 4 x − 5
§ 2x − 1 · 16 x = −5
¸ = log 2
3
log ¨
© x − 2 ¹ x=−
5
(rejected)
2x − 1 16
=8 ɺ log (2 x) = log (4 x − 5) − 1 has no solutions.
x−2
2 x − 1 = 8 x − 16
6 x = 15 §1·
30. log x + log y = log ¨ ¸
5 © x¹
x=
2 §1·
log( xy ) = log ¨ ¸
© x¹
25. log(5 − x) − log(4 x + 1) = log 4 − log 5 1
xy =
§ 5− x · §4· x
log ¨ ¸ = log ¨ ¸ 1
© 4x + 1 ¹ ©5¹ y= 2
5− x 4 x
=
4x + 1 5
25 − 5 x = 16 x + 4 31. 3log x − log y = 1
21x = 21 log x3 − log y = 1
x =1 § x3 ·
log ¨ ¸ = 1
© y¹
26. log(3 x + 1) + log 4 = 2 x3
log[4(3 x + 1)] = 2 = 10
y
4(3 x + 1) = 102 x3
3 x + 1 = 25 y=
10
3 x = 24
x=8
§ x·
32. 2 log (xy) = 1 + log ¨ ¸
© y¹
27. log(2 x − 3) − log 2 = −1
§ x·
§ 2x − 3 · log( xy ) 2 = log10 + log ¨ ¸
log ¨ ¸ = −1 © y¹
© 2 ¹
2x − 3 § x·
= 10−1 log( x 2 y 2 ) = log ¨10 × ¸
2 © y¹
2x − 3 1 10 x
= x2 y2 =
2 10 y
20 x − 30 = 2 10
y3 =
20 x = 32 x
1
8
x= § 10 · 3
5 y =¨ ¸
© x¹

28. log( x + 1) = log x + 1

log( x + 1) = log x + log10
33. 3x = 8 x − 2

log( x + 1) = log(10 x) log 3x = log8 x − 2

x + 1 = 10 x x log 3 = ( x − 2)log8
9x = 1 x log 3 = x log8 − 2log8
1 x(log 3 − log8) = −2log8
x= −2log8
9 x=
log 3 − log8
= 4.24 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

34. 5 2 x −1 = 2 x +1 38. 3x +1 + 2(3x −1 ) = 8

log 52 x −1 = log 2 x +1 3 (3x −1 ) + 2(3x −1 ) = 8
2

(2 x − 1) log 5 = ( x + 1)log 2 3x −1 (9 + 2) = 8
2 x log 5 − log 5 = x log 2 + log 2 11(3x −1 ) = 8
x(2log 5 − log 2) = log 2 + log 5 8
3x −1 =
log 2 + log 5 11
x=
2log 5 − log 2 §8·
log 3x −1 = log ¨ ¸
= 0.912 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) © 11 ¹
§8·
( x − 1) log 3 = log ¨ ¸
35. 4 x = 5(6 x ) © 11 ¹
log 4 x = log[5(6 x )] §8·
log ¨ ¸
log 4 = log 5 + log 6
x x
x −1 = © 11 ¹
log 3
x log 4 = log 5 + x log 6
§8·
x(log 4 − log 6) = log 5 log ¨ ¸
x= © 11 ¹ + 1
log 5
x= log 3
log 4 − log 6
= 0.710 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
= −3.97 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

39. ­log ( x − 5 y ) = 2 !! (1)

36. 5 x + 2 = 2(7 x ) ®
log 5 x + 2 = log[2(7 x )] ¯log x − log y = 1!! (2)
From (2),
( x + 2)log 5 = log 2 + log 7 x log x − log y = 1
x log 5 + 2log 5 = log 2 + x log 7
§ x·
x(log 5 − log 7) = log 2 − 2log 5 log ¨ ¸ = 1
© y¹
log 2 − 2log 5
x= x
log 5 − log 7 = 10
y
= 7.51 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
ɺ x = 10 y!! (3)
By substituting (3) into (1), we have
37. 4x +2 − 4x = 7 log (10 y − 5 y ) = 2
42 (4 x ) − 4 x = 7 log 5 y = 2
4 x (16 − 1) = 7 5 y = 102
15(4 x ) = 7 y = 20
7 By substituting y = 20 into (3), we have
4x =
15 x = 10(20)
§7· = 200
log 4 x = log ¨ ¸
© 15 ¹
§7· 40. ­°log y = log(2 x) − 1 !! (1)
x log 4 = log ¨ ¸ ®
© 15 ¹ °̄log x = 2 log y + 1!! (2)
§7· From (2),
log ¨ ¸
x= © 15 ¹ log x = 2 log y +1
log 4
log x = log ( y + 1)
= −0.550 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
ɺ x = y + 1 ......(3)
By substituting (3) into (1), we have
log y = log[2( y + 1)] − 1
log y = log(2 y + 2) − log10
§ 2y + 2 ·
log y = log ¨ ¸
© 10 ¹
y +1
y=
5
5y = y +1
4y =1
1
y=
4

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions
2
1 (b) Let I W/m be the required sound intensity.
By substituting y = into (3), we have
4 § I · ª § 3.2 × 10−5 · º
10log ¨ −12 ¸ = «10log ¨ −12 ¸ » × (1 − 30%)
1 © 10 ¹ ¬ © 10 ¹¼
x= +1
4
§ I · 75.051 499 78 × 0.7
5 log ¨ −12 ¸ ≈
= © 10 ¹ 10
4
§ I ·
log ¨ −12 ¸ ≈ 5.253 604 985
© 10 ¹
Exercise 7C (p. 7.21)
I
Level 1 ≈ 105.253 604 985
10−12
1. The corresponding sound intensity level
I ≈ 105.253 604 985 × 10 −12
§ 6.3 × 10 −2 ·
= 10log ¨ −12 ¸ dB = 1.79 × 10−7 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
© 10 ¹ –7 2
ɺ The sound intensity at night is 1.79 × 10 W/m .
= 10log(6.3 × 1010 ) dB
= 108 dB (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
5. By substituting E = 1010 and K = −3.2 into the formula,
we have
2. Let I W/m2 be the required sound intensity. 2
M = log(1010 ) − 3.2
§ I · 3
52 = 10 log ¨ −12 ¸
© 10 ¹ = 3.47 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
§ I · ɺ The magnitude of the earthquake on the Richter scale is
5.2 = log ¨ −12 ¸
© 10 ¹ 3.47.
I
105.2 = −12
10 6. By substituting M = 9.0 and K = −3.2 into the formula,
I = 105.2 × 10 −12 we have
2
= 10 −6.8 9.0 = log E − 3.2
3
= 1.58 × 10 −7 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
2
ɺ The sound intensity of the fan is 1.58 × 10–7 W/m2. log E = 12.2
3
log E = 18.3
3. The difference between the corresponding sound intensity
E = 1018.3
levels of the two successive thunders
= 2.00 × 1018 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
ª § 0.1 · § 10−5 · º
= «10log ¨ −12 ¸ − 10log ¨ −12 ¸ » dB ɺ The energy released in the earthquake is 2.00 × 1018 J .
¬ © 10 ¹ © 10 ¹ ¼
§ 0.1 10 −12 ·
= 10log ¨ −12 × −5 ¸ dB 7. The difference in magnitudes of the two earthquakes on the
© 10 10 ¹ Richter scale
= 10log10 4 dB ª2 º ª2 º
= « log (2.43 × 1011 ) + K » − « log (6.78 × 109 ) + K »
= 10 × 4 dB ¬3 ¼ ¬3 ¼
= 40 dB 2 2
= log (2.43 × 10 ) − log (6.78 × 10 )
11 9

3 3
4. (a) The sound intensity level of a playground in the = 1.04 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
afternoon
§ 3.2 × 10−5 · 8. Let E1 and E2 be the energy released (in J) in the earthquake
= 10log ¨ −12 ¸ dB
© 10 ¹ in town P and town Q respectively.
2
= 75.1 dB (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) 2.8 = log E1 + K !! (1)
3
2
and 2.3 = log E2 + K !! (2)
3

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

(1) – (2): (c) Suppose the value of the tablet will become less than
§2 · §2 · one-third of its original value after n months.
2.8 − 2.3 = ¨ log E1 + K ¸ − ¨ log E2 + K ¸
©3 ¹ ©3 ¹ 8000(0.92)n <
8000
2 §E · 3
0.5 = log ¨ 1 ¸ 1
3 © E2 ¹ 0.92 <
n

3
§E ·
log ¨ 1 ¸ = 0.75 §1·
log 0.92n < log ¨ ¸
© E2 ¹ © 3¹
E1 §1·
= 100.75 n log 0.92 < log ¨ ¸
E2 © 3¹
= 5.62 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) §1·
log ¨ ¸
ɺ The ratio of the energy released in the earthquake in © 3¹
n>
town P to that in town Q is 5.62 : 1. log 0.92
n > 13.17...
9. (a) When t = 0, ɺ It takes at least 14 months for the value of the tablet
V = 15 000(0.97)0 to become less than one-third of its original value.
= 15 000
ɺ The original value of the television is $15 000. 11. (a) When t = 5,
P = 20 000(1.05)5
(b) Suppose the value of the television becomes less than = 25 500 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
half of its original value after n months.
ɺ The population of the town in 2025 is 25 500.
15 000
ɻ 15 000(0.97) n <
2
(b) Suppose the population of the town exceeds 60 000 in the
1
ɺ 0.97 <
n
nth year after 2020.
2
20 000(1.05)n > 60 000
§1·
log 0.97 n < log ¨ ¸ 1.05n > 3
© 2¹
log1.05n > log 3
§1·
n log 0.97 < log ¨ ¸ n log1.05 > log 3
© 2¹
log 3
§1· n>
log ¨ ¸ log1.05
n> ©2¹
log 0.97 n > 22.51...
n > 22.75... ɺ The population of the town will first exceed 60 000
ɺ It takes at least 23 months for the value of the in the 23rd year after 2020, i.e. 2043.
television to become less than half of its original
value. Level 2
12. Let I W/m2 be the original sound intensity of the Hi-Fi,
10. (a) When t = 0, then the sound intensity is 0.6I W/m2 after adjustment.
V = 8000(0.92)0 ɻ The original sound intensity level is 90 dB.
= 8000 § I ·
ɺ 90 = 10 log ¨ ¸ ......(1)
ɺ The original value of the tablet computer is $8000.
© I0 ¹
Let β dB be the sound intensity level of the Hi-Fi after the
(b) When t = 12,
sound intensity is reduced.
V = 8000(0.92)12
§ 0.6I ·
= 2940 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) ɺ β = 10 log ¨ ¸ ......(2)
© I0 ¹
ɺ The value of the tablet computer 1 year after it was
(2) – (1):
bought is $2940.
§ 0.6I · § I ·
β − 90 = 10 log ¨ ¸ − 10log ¨ ¸
© 0 ¹
I © I0 ¹
§ 0.6I I0 ·
β − 90 = 10log ¨ × ¸
© I0 I ¹
β − 90 = 10 log 0.6
β = 90 + 10 log 0.6
= 87.8 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
ɺ The sound intensity level of the Hi-Fi after the sound
intensity is reduced is 87.8 dB.

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

13. Let IA and IB be the sound intensities (in W/m2) in By substituting E2 = 8E1 into (2), we have
restaurants A and B respectively.
2
Let βA and βB be the sound intensity levels (in dB) in 7.2 = log (8E1 ) + K !! (3)
3
restaurants A and B respectively.
§ I · (3) – (1):
β A = 10 log ¨ −A12 ¸ ......(1)
© 10 ¹ ª2 º §2 ·
7.2 − M 1 = « log (8 E1 ) + K » − ¨ log E1 + K ¸
§ I · ¬3 ¼ ©3 ¹
and β B = 10 log ¨ −B12 ¸ ......(2)
© 10 ¹ 2
7.2 − M 1 = log8
(2) – (1): 3
§ I · § I · 2
β B − β A = 10 log ¨ −B12 ¸ − 10 log ¨ −A12 ¸ M 1 = 7.2 − log8
© 10 ¹ © 10 ¹ 3
= 6.6 (cor. to 1 d.p.)
5 = 10 ª¬log (1012 I B ) − log (1012 I A ) º¼
ɺ The magnitude of the aftershock on the Richter scale is
1 §I · 6.6.
= log ¨ B ¸
2 © IA ¹
IB 1 16. Suppose the population will be less than 1000 after n years.
= 10 2 ɻ 2500(1 − 3.5%)n < 1000
IA
= 3.16 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) ɺ 0.965n < 0.4
ɺ The sound intensity in restaurant B is 3.16 times of the log 0.965n < log 0.4
sound intensity in restaurant A. n log 0.965 < log 0.4
log 0.4
n>
14. Let E1 and E2 be the energy released (in J) by the Hiroshima log 0.965
atomic bomb and in the Indian Ocean Earthquake n > 25.71...
respectively. ɺ It takes at least 26 years for the population to decrease
2
5.1 = log E1 + K !! (1) to less than 1000.
3
2 17. Suppose Jenny receives an amount exceeding $30 000 after
and 9.1 = log E2 + K !! (2)
3 n years.
2n
(2) – (1): ª §4· º
ɻ 20 000 «1 + ¨ ¸ % » > 30 000
§2 · §2 · ¬ ©2¹ ¼
9.1 − 5.1 = ¨ log E2 + K ¸ − ¨ log E1 + K ¸
©3 ¹ ©3 ¹ ɺ 1.022 n > 1.5
2 §E · log 1.022 n > log 1.5
4 = log ¨ 2 ¸
3 © E1 ¹ 2n log 1.02 > log 1.5
§E · n>
log 1.5
log ¨ 2 ¸ = 6 2 log 1.02
© E1 ¹
E2 n > 10.23...
= 106 ɺ It takes at least 10.5 years (cor. to the nearest 0.5) for
E1
Jenny to receive an amount exceeding $30 000.
= 1 000 000
ɺ The energy released in the Indian Ocean Earthquake
18. Let N be the original number of bacteria in the test tube.
corresponded to 1 000 000 Hiroshima atomic bombs. Suppose the number of bacteria in the test tube becomes
ɺ The claim is agreed.
more than triple of its original number after n minutes.
ɻ N (1 + 18%) n > 3 N
15. Let E1 and E2 be the energy released (in J) in the aftershock
ġ ɺ 1.18n > 3
and the earthquake respectively.
Let M1 be the magnitude of the aftershock on the Richter log1.18n > log 3
scale. n log1.18 > log 3
2 log 3
M 1 = log E1 + K !! (1) n>
3 log1.18
2 n > 6.63...
and 7.2 = log E2 + K !! (2)
3 ɺ It takes at least 7 minutes for the number of bacteria in
1 the test tube to become more than triple of its original
ɻġ E1 = E2
8 number.
ɺ E2 = 8 E1

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

19. Let $V be the original value of the car. 11. log 3 8 = 1.89 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
Suppose the value of the car drops below 10% of the original
value after t years. 12. log 1 3.5 = −1.81 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
V (1 − 18%)t < V × 10% 2

V (0.82)t < 0.1V

0.82t < 0.1 § 24 ·
13. log 2 24 − log 2 6 = log 2 ¨ ¸
© 6 ¹
log 0.82t < log 0.1
= log 2 4
t log 0.82 < log 0.1
= log 2 22
log 0.1
t> =2
log 0.82
t > 11.60...
ɺ The value of the car will first drop below 10% of the §1· §1 ·
14. log 3 ¨ ¸ + log 3 54 = log 3 ¨ × 54 ¸
original value after 12 years. © 2¹ ©2 ¹
= log 3 27
Exercise 7D (p. 7.29) = log 3 33
Level 1
=3
1. ɻ 27 = 33
ɺ log 3 27 = 3
1
1
15. log 6 3 + log 6 4 = log 6 3 + log 6 4 2
2
2. ɻ 64 = 26
= log 6 (3 × 2)
ɺ log 2 64 = 6
= log 6 6
=1
1
3. ɻ = 2 −1
2
16. 3log 5 2 − log 5 1000 = log 5 23 − log 5 1000
§1·
ɺ log 2 ¨ ¸ = −1
©2¹ § 8 ·
= log 5 ¨ ¸
1 © 1000 ¹
4. ɻ 5 =5 2
§ 1 ·
1 = log 5 ¨ ¸
ɺ log 5 5 = © 125 ¹
2
= log 5 5−3
= −3
2
§ 1· 2
5. ɻ 4 = 2 = ¨ 83 ¸ = 83
2

© ¹ log 9 16 log 9 42
17. =
2 log 9 64 log 9 43
ɺ log8 4 =
3 2log 9 4
=
3log 9 4
2
1 1 1 − 2
6. ɻ = = 2 =3 3 =
3
9 3 2
3 3
33
1 2
ɺ log 3 3 = − 3
9 3 log 6 8 log 6 2 2
18. =
§ · log 6 2−2
1
log 6 ¨ ¸
7. log 2 x = 0.5 ©4¹
x = 20.5 3
log 6 2
= 1.41 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) = 2
−2log 6 2
3
8. log 7 x = −2.1 =−
4
x = 7 −2.1
= 0.0168 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

9. log 5 10 = 1.43 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

10. log3 8.7 = 1.97 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

log 4 (c) log 5 10 = log 5 (2 × 5)

19. log8 4 =
log8 = log 5 2 + log 5 5
log 2 2
= a +1
=
log 23
2log 2 26. (a) log 2 75 = log 2 (3 × 52 )
=
3log 2
= log 2 3 + log 2 52
2
= = log 2 3 + 2 log 2 5
3
= a + 2b

log 3 1
20. log 9 3 =
log 9 (b) log 2 15 = log 2 (3 × 5) 2
1 1
log 3 2 = (log 2 3 + log 2 5)
= 2
log 32 a+b
=
1 2
log 3
= 2
2log 3
§5·
1 (c) log 2 2.5 = log 2 ¨ ¸
= ©2¹
4
= log 2 5 − log 2 2
= b −1
log 3 x 9 9log 3 x
21. =
log 3 x 3 3log 3 x
27. log 3 ( x − 1) = 3
=3
x − 1 = 33
x = 28
log 2 (3 x) log 2 (3 x)
22. =
log 2 (9 x 2 ) log 2 (3 x)2
log 2 (3 x) 28. log 6 (2 x + 5) = 0
= 2x + 5 = 1
2log 2 (3 x)
1 x = −2
=
2
29. log 3 (2 x − 1) − log 3 81 = 1
log 3 (2 x − 1) − log 3 34 = 1
23. 2log 5 x + log 5 §¨ 2 ·¸ = 2log 5 x + log 5 x −2
1
©x ¹ log 3 (2 x − 1) − 4 = 1
= 2log 5 x − 2log 5 x log 3 (2 x − 1) = 5
=0 2 x − 1 = 35
2 x = 244
24. log8 x 3 − 3 log 8 (4 x ) = log 8 x3 − log8 (4 x)3 x = 122
= log 8 x − log8 (64 x )
3 3

§ x3 · 30. log 2 (3 x + 1) + log 4 64 = −1

= log 8 ¨ 3 ¸ log 2 (3 x + 1) + log 4 43 = −1
© 64 x ¹
§ 1 · log 2 (3x + 1) + 3 = −1
= log 8 ¨ ¸ log 2 (3 x + 1) = −4
© 64 ¹
= log 8 8−2 3 x + 1 = 2 −4
= −2 1
3x + 1 =
16
5
§2· x=−
25. (a) log 5 ¨ ¸ = log 5 2 − log 5 3 16
©3¹
= a−b

(b) log 5 12 = log 5 (2 × 3)

2

= log 5 22 + log 5 3
= 2log 5 2 + log 5 3
= 2a + b

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

2
36. log 4 2 − log 4 18 + 2 log 4 §¨ ·¸ = log 4 2 − log 4 18 + log 4 §¨ ·¸
Level 2 3 3
31. log2 x – log2 (4y) = 3
© ¹
2 ©2¹
§ x · §9·
log 2 ¨ ¸ = 3 = log 4 2 − log 4 18 + log 4 ¨ ¸
© 4y ¹ ©4¹
x § 2 9·
= 23 = log 4 ¨ × ¸
4y © 18 4 ¹
x = 32 y §1·
= log 4 ¨ ¸
© 4¹
32. log3 (y – 2x) = –2 = log 4 4−1
y − 2 x = 3−2 = −1
1
2x = y −
9 log 9 log 5
37. log 25 9 × log 27 5 = ×
1§ 1· log 25 log 27
x= ¨y− ¸
2© 9¹ log 32 log 5
9y −1 = ×
x= log 52 log 33
18 2 log 3 log 5
= ×
2 log 5 3 log 3
33. log 2 (2 x) = log 8 (3 y ) 1
=
log 2 (3 y ) 3
log 2 (2 x) =
log 2 8
log 2 (3 y ) log 49
log 2 (2 x) =
log 2 23 log8 49 log8
38. =
1 log16 7 log 7
log 2 (2 x) = log 2 (3 y )
3 log16
1
log 49 log16
log 2 (2 x) = log 2 (3 y ) 3 = ×
1
log8 log 7
2 x = (3 y ) 3 log 7 2 log 24
= ×
1
log 23 log 7
(3 y ) 3
x= 2log 7 4log 2
2 = ×
3log 2 log 7
8
34. log x 8 = log y 16 =
3
log 2 8 log 2 16
=
log 2 x log 2 y
log 4 2 + log 4 (2 x 2 ) log 4 (2 • 2 x 2 )
log 2 23 log 2 24 39. =
= log 4 (2 x) log 4 (2 x )
log 2 x log 2 y
log 4 (4 x 2 )
3 4 =
= log 4 (2 x)
log 2 x log 2 y
log 4 (2 x) 2
3log 2 y = 4log 2 x =
log 4 (2 x)
log 2 y 3 = log 2 x 4 2log 4 (2 x )
=
y3 = x4 log 4 (2 x)
3
=2
x = y4

§ 8 ·
35. log 3 8 − log 3 18 − log 3 12 = log 3 ¨ ¸
© 18 × 12 ¹
§ 1 ·
= log 3 ¨ ¸
© 27 ¹
= log 3 3−3
= −3

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

log 2 (3 x) log 2 (3 x) log 5 x

40. = 2log 5 x +
log 2 (9 x5 ) − log 2 x 3 § 9 x5 · log 5 x + log 1 x
2 §1·
log 2 ¨ 3 ¸ log 5 ¨ ¸
© x ¹ 44. 5
= ©5¹
log 2 (3 x) log 5 x log 5 x
=
log 2 (9 x 2 ) log 5 x
2log 5 x +
log 5 5−1
=
log 2 (3 x) =
log 2 (3 x) 2 log 5 x
2log 5 x − log 5 x
=
log 2 (3 x) =
2 log 2 (3 x) log 5 x
log 5 x
=
1 =
2 log 5 x
=1

§ x·
41. log 2 ¨ ¸ − 3 log 2 x + 2 log 2 (6 x)
©9¹ § 5log x 2 · § log y ·
45. (5log y x 2 )(log x y ) = ¨ ¸ ¨¨ ¸¸
§ x· © log y ¹ © log x ¹
= log 2 ¨ ¸ − log 2 x 3 + log 2 (6 x)2
©9¹ §1 ·
§x 2 ·
§ 10log x · ¨ 2 log y ¸
¨ • 36 x ¸ =¨ ¸¨ ¸
= log 2 ¨ 9 3 ¸ © log y ¹ ¨¨ log x ¸¸
¨¨ x ¸¸ © ¹
© ¹ =5
= log 2 4
= log 2 22 § x4 y ·
log 7 ¨ ¸
=2 log 7 ( x y ) − log 7 ( xy )
4
= © xy ¹
46. 6 6
log 7 x log 7 x
3 log 7 x 3
42. log 9 (8 x) + log 9 x − log 9 (4 x) =
2 log 7 x 6
1 3
= log 9 (8 x) + log 9 x 2 − log 9 (4 x) 2 3 log 7 x
=
1 3 6 log 7 x
= log 9 (8 x) + log 9 x − log 9 (8 x )
2 2
1
=
§ 1
· 2
¨ 8x • x 2 ¸
= log 9 ¨ 3 ¸
¨ 8x 2 ¸
© ¹ § 20 · § 4×5 ·
47. (a) log 3 ¨ ¸ = log 3 ¨ 2 ¸
= log 9 1 © 9 ¹ © 3 ¹
=0 = log 3 4 + log 3 5 − log 3 32
= x+ y−2
log x 4
4
log 9 x log 9
43. = (b) log 3 10 = log 3 (2 × 5)
log 3 x 5 log x5 1
log 3 = log 3 4 2 + log 3 5
log x 4 log 3 1
= × = log 3 4 + log 3 5
log 9 log x5 2
log x 4 log 3 x
= × = +y
log 32 log x5 2
ġ
4log x log 3
= ×
2log 3 5log x § 3·
(c) log 3 0.3 = log 3 ¨ ¸
2 © 10 ¹
=
5 = log 3 3 − log 3 10
§x ·
= 1 − ¨ + y ¸ (from (b))
©2 ¹
x
=1− − y
2

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

48. log 25 10 = x 52. log 3 ( x + 2) − log 3 (3 x − 2) = 1

log 5 10 § x+2 ·
=x log 3 ¨ ¸ =1
log 5 25 © 3x − 2 ¹
log 5 (2 × 5) x+2
=x =3
log 5 52 3x − 2
log 5 2 + log 5 5 x + 2 = 9x − 6
=x
2 8x = 8
log 5 2 + 1 x =1
=x
2
log 5 2 = 2 x − 1 53. log 4 ( x + 3) = log 4 ( x − 3) − 2
2 = log 4 ( x − 3) − log 4 ( x + 3)
49. (a) log 5 30 = log 5 (2 × 3 × 5)
§ x −3·
= log 5 2 + log 5 3 + log 5 5 2 = log 4 ¨ ¸
© x + 3¹
log 25 3
= log 5 2 + +1 x−3
log 25 5 42 =
x+3
log 25 3 16 x + 48 = x − 3
= log 5 2 + 1
+1
log 25 25 2 15 x = −51
log 25 3 17
= log 5 2 + +1 x=− (rejected)
1 5
2 ɺ log 4 ( x + 3) = log 4 ( x − 3) − 2 has no solutions.
= log 5 2 + 2log 25 3 + 1
= x + 2y +1 54. log 3 x = log 1 16
3

log 3 16
1 log 3 x =
§1·
(b) log 25 30 = log 25 30 2 log 3 ¨ ¸
© 3¹
1
= log 25 30 log 3 16
2 log 3 x =
1 log 5 30 log 3 3−1
= × log 3 x = − log 3 16
2 log 5 25
1 log 5 30 log 3 x = log 3 16−1
= ×
2 log 5 52 1
x=
1 log 5 30 16
= ×
2 2
1 55. log 25 (2 x) − log 5 8 = 0
= log 5 30
4 log 5 (2 x)
1 = log 5 8
= ( x + 2 y + 1) (from (a)) log 5 25
4
log 5 (2 x)
= log 5 8
log 5 52
50. log 2 ( x + 1) + log 2 3 = log 2 (2 x + 5) log 5 (2 x)
= log 5 8
log 2 [3( x + 1)] = log 2 (2 x + 5) 2
3( x + 1) = 2 x + 5 log 5 (2 x) = 2log 5 8
3x + 3 = 2 x + 5 log 5 (2 x) = log 5 82
x=2 2 x = 64
x = 32
51. log 5 (2 x + 1) − log 5 x = 2log 5 2
§ 2x + 1 · Exercise 7E (p. 7.36)
¸ = log 5 2
2
log 5 ¨
© x ¹ Level 1
2x + 1 1. (a) y = ab x
=4
x log 2 y = log 2 (ab x )
2x + 1 = 4x log 2 y = log 2 a + log 2 b x
1 log 2 y = (log 2 b) x + log 2 a
x=
2

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

(b) From (a), we have (b) ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, 3).
log 2 y = (log 2 b) x + log 2 a ɺ log a = 3
ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, –3). a = 103
ɺ log2 a = –3 = 1000
a = 2 −3 3−0
1 ɻ Slope of the line =
= 0−3
8 ɺ b = −1
−3 − 0
ɻ Slope of the graph =
0−6 5. (a) N = abt
1
ɺ log2 b = log 5 N = log 5 (ab t )
2
1
log 5 N = (log 5 b)t + log 5 a
b =2 2

b= 2 (b) From (a), we have

log 5 N = (log 5 b)t + log 5 a
ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, 2).
2. (a) y = pq x
ɺ log5 a = 2
log 6 y = log 6 ( pq x )
a = 52
log 6 y = log 6 p + log 6 q x
= 25
log 6 y = (log 6 q ) x + log 6 p
1.8 − 2
ɻ Slope of the line =
3−0
(b) From (a), we have
1
log 6 y = (log 6 q ) x + log 6 p ɺ log5 b = −
15
ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, 4). 1
−
ɺ log6 p = 4 b = 5 15
p = 64 b = 0.898 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
= 1296
ɻ Slope of the line = −0.5 6. (a) When x = 3,
ɺ log6 q = –0.5 N = 200log[5(3) + 10]
q=6
–0.5 = 200log 25
q = 0.408 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) = 280 (cor. to the nearest integer)
ɺ The number of customers on the 3rd day since
y = mx n opening is 280.
3. (a)
log 3 y = log 3 (mx n )
(b) When N = 400,
log 3 y = log 3 x n + log 3 m 400 = 200log(5k + 10)
log 3 y = n(log 3 x) + log 3 m log(5k + 10) = 2
5k + 10 = 10 2
(b) From (a), we have 5k = 90
log 3 y = n(log 3 x) + log 3 m
k = 18
ɻ The intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is 2.
ɺ log3 m = 2
7. (a) When x = 6,
m = 32 N = 1500log8 (6 + 82)
=9
= 1500log8 88
ɻ Slope of the line = 2 = 3230 (cor. to the nearest integer)
ɺ n =2 ɺ The number of cells on the 6th day is 3230.

4. (a) y = axb (b) When N = 3900,

log y = log(ax ) b 3900 = 1500log 8 ( k + 82)
log8 (k + 82) = 2.6
log y = log a + log xb
ɺ log y = b log x + log a k + 82 = 82.6
k = 82.6 − 82
k = 141 (cor. to the nearest integer)

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

(a) When t = 8,
x
8. (c) (i) From (b), we have y = 18.5(0.232)
N = 250 + 100log 5 (2 × 8) When x = −1 ,
= 250 + 100log 5 16 y = 18.5(0.232)−1
= 422 (cor. to the nearest integer) y = 79.7 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
ɺ The number of visitors on the 8th day is 422.
(ii) When y = 31 ,
(b) When N = 550, log 7 31 = (log 7 0.232) x + log 7 18.5
550 = 250 + 100log 5 (2k )
log 7 31 − log 7 18.5
log 5 (2k ) = 3 x=
log 7 0.232
2k = 53
x = −0.353 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
125
k=
2
11. (a) y = kx m
k = 63 (cor. to the nearest integer)
log 9 y = log 9 (kx m )

Level 2 log 9 y = log 9 x m + log 9 k

5−2 log 3 x m
9. (a) ɻ Slope of the line = log 9 y = + log 9 k
3−0 log 3 9
ɺ m =1 m log 3 x
log 9 y = + log 9 k
ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, 2). log 3 32
ɺ c=2 m
log 9 y = log 3 x + log 9 k
2
(b) log y = x + 2
ġ ġ (b) ɻ Slope of the line = –0.1
ɺ y = 10 x + 2
m
ɺ = −0.1
(c) (i) When x = 1, 2
y = 101+ 2 m = −0.2
= 103 ɻ The graph passes through (2, 0.16).
= 1000 ɺ By substituting (2, 0.16) into the equation
m
log 9 y = log 3 x + log 9 k , we have
2
(ii) When y = 0.1,
0.2
0.1 = 10 x + 2 0.16 = − (2) + log 9 k
2
10−1 = 10 x + 2 log 9 k = 0.36
−1 = x + 2 k = 90.36
x = −3 k = 2.2 (cor. to 1 d.p.)

x
10. (a) y = pq (c) (i) From (b), we have y = 2.2x .
–0.2

log 7 y = log 7 ( pq x ) When x = 5 ,

log 7 y = log 7 p + log 7 q x y = 2.2(5) −0.2
log 7 y = (log 7 q) x + log 7 p y = 1.59 (cor. to 2 d.p.)

3 (ii) From (b), we have

(b) ɻ The intercept on the vertical axis is .
2 log 9 y = (−0.1)log 3 x + log 9 2.2

log 7 p =
3 When y = 1.5 ,
ɺ
2 log 9 1.5 = (−0.1)log 3 x + log 9 2.2
p = 18.5 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
log 9 2.2 − log 9 1.5
log 3 x =
3 0.1
0−
ɻ Slope of the line = 2 log 3 x ≈ 1.743072857
2−0
x ≈ 31.743072857
3
ɺ log7 q = − x = 6.79 (cor. to 2 d.p.)
4
3
−
q=7 4
q = 0.232 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions
n
12. By substituting x = 2 and y = 11.3 into y = kx , we have (b) From (a), we have
n
11.3 = k(2) ……(1) 3
n log y = log x − 2
By substituting x = 3 and y = 31.2 into y = kx , we have 2
n
31.2 = k(3) ……(2) 3

(1) ÷ (2): log y = log x 2 − log100

11.3 k (2)n § 32 ·
=
log y = log ¨¨
x ¸
31.2 k (3) n ¸
¨ 100 ¸
11.3 2 n © ¹
=
31.2 3n 3
x2
n
§ 2 · 11.3 ɺ y=
¨ ¸ = 100
© 3¹ 31.2
n
§ 2· § 11.3 · (c) Percentage change in the value of y
log ¨ ¸ = log ¨ ¸
© 3¹ © 31.2 ¹ 3 3
(2 x) 2 x 2
§ 2· § 11.3 · −
n log ¨ ¸ = log ¨ ¸ = 100 3 100 × 100%
© 3¹ © 31.2 ¹
x2
§ 11.3 ·
log ¨ ¸ 100
n= © 31.2 ¹ 3 3
§ 2· (2 x) 2 − x 2
log ¨ ¸ = × 100%
© 3¹ 3
2
n ≈ 2.504 815 701 x
n = 2.5 (cor. to 1 d. p.) § 32 · 3
¨ 2 − 1¸ x 2
By substituting n ≈ 2.504 815 701 into (2), we have =© 3
¹ × 100%
2
31.2 ≈ k (3)2.504 815 701 x
= +183% (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
k = 2.0 (cor. to 1 d. p.)

x
13. By substituting x = 4 and y = 3.65 into y = ab , we have 15. Suppose more than 80% of the food intake will pass through
3.65 = ab 4 !! (1) the stomach after n hours.
x
By substituting x = 6 and y = 2.64 into y = ab , we have A > A0 × 80%
2.64 = ab 6 !! (2) log A > log(0.8 A0 )
(1) ÷ (2): log A0 + log(1 − 10 −0.14 n ) > log(0.8 A0 )
3.65 ab 4 log(1 − 10−0.14 n ) > log(0.8 A0 ) − log A0
=
2.64 ab 6
§ 0.8 A0 ·
3.65 1 log(1 − 10−0.14 n ) > log ¨ ¸
= © A0 ¹
2.64 b 2
2.64 log(1 − 10−0.14 n ) > log 0.8
b2 =
3.65 1 − 10 −0.14 n > 0.8

b=
2.64
or b = −
2.64
(rejected) 10−0.14 n < 0.2
3.65 3.65 log10−0.14 n < log 0.2
b = 0.85 (cor. to 2 d. p.) −0.14n < log 0.2
2.64 log 0.2
By substituting b = into (2), we have n>
3.65 −0.14
§ 2.64 ·
6 n > 4.99...
2.64 = a ¨¨ ¸¸ ɺ It takes at least 5 hours for more than 80% of the food
© 3.65 ¹ intake to pass through the stomach.
2.64
a= 6
§ 2.64 · 16. (a) By substituting t = 2 and N = 1350 into
¨¨ ¸¸ N = N0 + 300 log16 (t + 2), we have
© 3.65 ¹
a = 6.98 (cor. to 2 d. p.) 1350 = N 0 + 300log16 (2 + 2)
N 0 = 1200
4 − (−2)
14. (a) ɻ Slope of the line =
4−0
3
ɺ a=
2
ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, –2).
ɺ b = −2

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

(b) By (a), we have N = 1200 + 300 log16 (t + 2). Exercise 7F (p. 7.46)
The number of fungi exactly 6 weeks after the start of Level 1
the experiment 1. (a) (i) Graph (III) (ii) Graph (II)
= 1200 + 300log16{[7(6)] + 2} (iii) Graph (I) (iv) Graph (IV)
≈ 1609.457 371
> 1600 (b) (i) Graph (II) and Graph (IV)
ɺ The claim is agreed. (ii) Graph (I) and Graph (III)

(c) 1200 + 300 log16 (m + 2) – 2. (a) (1, 0)

(b) yHVy = 0
{1200 + 300log16 [(m − 10) + 2]} = 15
20log16 ( m + 2) − 20log16 (m − 8) = 1 3. (a) A: (1, 0), B: (0, 1)
m+2 1 (b) yHVy = x
log16 =
m − 8 20
m+2 1 4 (a) y = log 1 x
= 16 20 2
m −8
1 (b) y = log 7 x
m + 2 = 16 20 (m − 8) 3

(c) y = log 4 x
§ 201 · § 1·
¨ 16 − 1¸ m = 8 ¨ 16 20 ¸ + 2
© ¹ © ¹ 5. (a) y = 3x
§ 201 ·
8 ¨ 16 ¸ + 2 x
m= © 1 ¹ §1·
(b) y =¨ ¸
§ 20 · ©7¹
¨ 16 − 1¸
© ¹
m = 75
(c) y = log 0.15 x

(cor. to the 6. (a) C1 : y = log 3 x , C2 : y = log x

nearest integer)
(b) (1, 0)
m n p
17. y =2x
log 8 y m = log 8 (2 n x p ) 7. (a)

log 8 y m = log 8 2 n + log 8 x p

log 2 2n log 4 x p
m log8 y = +
log 2 8 log 4 8
n log 2 2 p log 4 x
m log8 y = + 3
log 2 23
log 4 4 2
n p log 4 x
m log8 y = +
3 3
2
2p n
log8 y = log 4 x +
3m 3m
6−0 (b)
ɻ Slope of the line =
0 − (−12)
2p 1
ɺ =
3m 2
4 p = 3m
p 3
=
m 4
ɻ m and p are positive integers and the H.C.F. of m and p
is 1.
ɺ m = 4, p =3
ɻ The intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is 6.
n
ɺ =6
3(4)
n = 72

27 © United Prime Educational Publishing (HK) Ltd. 2023

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+.'6(0DWKHPDWLFVLQ$FWLRQ UG(GLWLRQ %  )XOO6ROXWLRQV

 D F RURURWKHULQWHJHUVJUHDWHUWKDQ

 D G1 : y = log 3 x  G2 : y = log 5 x  G3 : y = log 1 x

5

 D

/HYHO
 D  E

L )URPWKHJUDSKZKHQ[=\=
ɺ log 5 4 = 0.85 
LL )URPWKHJUDSKZKHQ[=\=
ɺ log 5 9 = 1.35

E

 D 

E  F

L )URPWKHJUDSKZKHQ\=[=
ɺ 7KHVROXWLRQRI log 5 x = 0.5 LV[=
LL )URPWKHJUDSKZKHQ\=[=
 c < 1 < a < b ɺ 7KHVROXWLRQRI log 5 x = 1.25 LV[=

 D 

E ɻ 7KHJUDSKV&\=ORJ[DQG&\=ORJD[KDYH
UHIOHFWLRQDOV\PPHWU\DERXWWKH[D[LV
1
ɺ D=
0.5
=2

 ‹8QLWHG3ULPH(GXFDWLRQDO3XEOLVKLQJ +. /WG
 3HDUVRQ(GXFDWLRQ$VLD/LPLWHG
 7 Logarithmic Functions

15. (a) (i) From the graph, when x = 2.5, y = –1.8.

ɺ log 3 2.5 = −1.8
5

log 3 7
(ii) log 5 7 = 5

§5·
3 log 3 ¨ ¸
5© ¹
3
log 3 7
= 5
−1
§3·
log 3 ¨ ¸
5© ¹
5
(i) From the graph, when x = 2.6, y = 1.4. = − log 3 7
ɺ log 2 2.6 = 1.4 5

From the graph, when x = 7, y = −3.8.

ɺ log 3 7 = −3.8
log 2 4.3 5
(ii) log 1 4.3 =
§1· ɺ log 5 7 = − log 3 7
2 log 2 ¨ ¸
©2¹ 3 5

log 2 4.3 = −(−3.8)

=
log 2 2 −1 = 3.8
= − log 2 4.3
(b)
From the graph, when x = 4.3, y = 2.1.
ɺ log 2 4.3 = 2.1
ɺ log 1 4.3 = − log 2 4.3 = −2.1
2

(b)
(b)(i)

(b)(ii)

(i) 5log 0.6 x = −9

9
log 0.6 x = −
5
(i) From the graph, when y = 0.6, x = 1.5. log 3 x = −1.8
ɺ The solution of log 2 x = 0.6 is x = 1.5. 5

From the graph, when y = −1.8, x = 2.5.

(ii) log 1 x = 1.4 ɺġ The solution of 5log 0.6 x = −9 is x = 2.5.
2

− log 2 x = 1.4 § 3·
(ii) log x = −6 log ¨ ¸
log 2 x = −1.4 ©5¹
From the graph, when y = –1.4, x = 0.4. log x
= −6
ɺ The solution of log 1 x = 1.4 is x = 0.4. §3·
log ¨ ¸
©5¹
2

16. (a) log 3 x = −6

5

From the graph, when y = −6, x = 21.5.

§ 3·
ɺ The solution of log x = −6 log ¨ ¸ is
©5¹
x = 21.5.

Check Yourself (p. 7.57)

1. (a) 9 (b) 8 (c) 8 (d) 8
(e) 8 (f) 9 (g) 8

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

2. (a) a >1 9. y = ax b
log y = log( ax b )
(b) 0 < a < 1
= log a + log x b
= b log x + log a
3. (1, 0)

4. y = log 1 x 10. y = mn x
2
log 2 y = log 2 mn x
log 2 y = log 2 n x + log 2 m
5. y = 9x
log 2 y = x log 2 n + log 2 m
6. (a) ɻ 1000 = 103
Revision Exercise 7 (p. 7.58)
ɺ log1000 = 3
Level 1
4
1. (a) ɻġ 10 000 = 10
(b) ɻ 16 = 24 ɺ log 10 000 = 4
ɺ log 2 16 = 4
1
(b) ɻ = 10−6
log 27 1 000 000
(c) log 9 27 =
log 9 § 1 ·
ɺ log ¨ ¸ = −6
log 33 © 1 000 000 ¹
=
log 32
1
3log 3 −4 ×
= (c) ɻ 0.0001 = 10 −4 = 10 2
= 10−2
2log 3
ɺ log 0.0001 = −2
3
=
2
2. (a) ɻġ 81 = 9 2
ɺ log 9 81 = 2
7. (a) log 2 + log 50 = log(2 × 50)
= log100
1 1
= log10 2 (b) ɻ = = 2 −5
32 25
=2
§ 1 ·
ɺ log 2 ¨ ¸ = −5
© 32 ¹
(b) log 3 8 − 3log 3 6 = log 3 8 − log 3 63
= log 3 8 − log 3 216 1 −
1
(c) ɻ 0.2 = =5 2
§ 8 · 5
= log 3 ¨ ¸
© 216 ¹ 1
ɺ log 5 0.2 = −
§ 1 · 2
= log 3 ¨ ¸
© 27 ¹
= log 3 3−3 3. (a) log 4.5 = 0.653 (cor. to. 3 sig. fig.)

= −3
§7· 1
(b) 2log ¨ ¸ − log 0.4 = 1.22 (cor. to. 3 sig. fig.)
©2¹ 3
8. (a) 4x = 9
log 4 x = log 9 (c) 0.4log 2 + 3log(0.45 ) = −5.91 (cor. to. 3 sig. fig.)
x log 4 = log 9
log 9 4. (a) log3 2 = 0.631 (cor. to. 3 sig. fig.)
x=
log 4
= 1.58 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
(b) log8 3 − 2log 4 3 = −1.32 (cor. to. 3 sig. fig.)

(b) log 4 ( x + 3) = 2 2
§2· §1·
x+3=4 2 (c) log 0.5 ¨ ¸ + 3log 4 ¨ ¸ = −1.68 (cor. to. 3 sig. fig.)
©5¹ ©2¹
x = 13

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

§ 40 ·
1
1
5. (a) log 40 − log 4 = log ¨ ¸ (d) log 3 16 − log 3 6 − log 3 18 = log 3 16 2 − log 3 6 − log 3 18
© 4 ¹ 2
= log10 § 4 ·
= log 3 ¨ ¸
=1 © 6 × 18 ¹
§ 1 ·
= log 3 ¨ ¸
§ 400 × 2 · © 27 ¹
(b) log 400 − log 8 + log 2 = log ¨ ¸
© 8 ¹ = log 3 3−3
= log 100 = −3
=2
1

4 7. (a) ɻ 3 = 92
log 625 log 5
(c) = 1
log 5
1
ɺ log 93 =
log 5 2 2
4 log 5
=
1 § 1 ·
log 5 log ¨ ¸
2 § 1 · © 64 ¹
4 (b) log16 ¨ ¸ =
= © 64 ¹ log16
1
log 4−3
2 =
=8 log 42
−3log 4
=
2log 4
log 27 − log 243 log 33 − log 35
(d) = 3
log 9 log 32 =−
2
3log 3 − 5log 3
=
2log 3
log 7 log 3
−2log 3 (c) (log 3 7)(log 7 3) = •
= log 3 log 7
2log 3
=1
= −1

8. 4 log x + log x 5 − 3 log x 3 = 4log x + 5log x − 9log x

6. (a) log 6 108 + log 6 2 = log 6 ( 108 × 2)
=0
= log 6 216
= log 6 63
§2· § 2x · § 3· § 2 2x 3 ·
=3 9. log 2 ¨ ¸ + log 2 ¨ ¸ + log 2 ¨ ¸ = log 2 ¨ • • ¸
© x¹ © 3 ¹ ©8¹ © x 3 8¹
§1·
1 = log 2 ¨ ¸
1 ©2¹
(b) log 4 96 − log 4 36 = log 4 96 − log 4 36 2
2 = log 2 2 −1
= log 4 96 − log 4 6
= −1
§ 96 ·
= log 4 ¨ ¸
© 6 ¹ 1

= log 4 16 3log x − 8log x 3log x − 8log x 2

10. =
= log 4 42 log x 2 2log x
=2 3log x − 4log x
=
2log x
3 − log x
=
log 9 8 log 9 2 2 2log x
(c) =
log 9 4 log 9 22 1
=−
3 2
log 9 2
=2
2log 9 2
3
=2
2
3
=
4

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

log 3 x3 14. log(3 x + 1) = 3

3
log 9 x log 3 9 3x + 1 = 103
11. =
log 3 x 4 + log 3 x8 4log 3 x + 8log 3 x 3x = 999
3log 3 x x = 333
log 3 32
=
12log 3 x 15. log 2 (6 x − 4) = −1
3
log 3 x 6 x − 4 = 2 −1
= 2 9
12log 3 x 6x =
2
3 3
x=
= 2 4
12
1
= 16. log(2 x ) + 6 log 2 = log 96
8
log(2 x ) + log 26 = log 96
12. (a) log15 = log(3 × 5) log(2 x × 64) = log 96
= log 3 + log 5 128 x = 96
=a+b 3
x=
4

§5· §5·
(b) log ¨ ¸ = log ¨ 2 ¸ 17. log 3 (5 x + 3) − 2log 3 2 = 3
©9¹ ©3 ¹
log 3 (5 x + 3) − log 3 22 = 3
= log 5 − log 32
= log 5 − 2log 3 log 3 (5 x + 3) − log 3 4 = 3
= b − 2a § 5x + 3 ·
log 3 ¨ ¸=3
© 4 ¹
1 5x + 3
= 33
(c) log 45 = log(32 × 5) 2 4
1 5 x = 105
= log(32 × 5)
2 x = 21
1
= (log 32 + log 5)
2 18. log( x + 6) = log x + log 6
1
= (2log 3 + log 5) log( x + 6) = log(6 x)
2
x + 6 = 6x
b
=a+ 5x = 6
2
6
x=
5
13. (a) log 3 50 = log 3 (2 × 52 )
= log 3 2 + log 3 52
19. log 5 (3x − 1) − log 5 ( x + 1) − 1 = 0
= log 3 2 + 2log 3 5
§ 3x − 1 ·
= x + 2y log 5 ¨ ¸ =1
© x +1 ¹
3x − 1
=5
§ 22 · x +1
(b) log 3 0.8 = log 3 ¨ ¸
© 5¹ 3x − 1 = 5 x + 5
= log 3 22 − log 3 5 2 x = −6
= 2log 3 2 − log 3 5 x = −3 (rejected)
= 2x − y ɺ log 5 (3 x − 1) − log 5 ( x + 1) − 1 = 0 has no solutions.

(c) log 3 120 = log 3 (23 × 3 × 5)

= log 3 23 + log 3 3 + log 3 5
= 3log 3 2 + log 3 5 + 1
= 3x + y + 1

32 © United Prime Educational Publishing (HK) Ltd. 2023

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

20. 3 x −1 = 6 24. Let I1 and I2 be the sound intensities (in W/m2) in the study
room and at home respectively.
log 3x −1 = log 6
§ I ·
( x − 1)log 3 = log 6 45 = 10 log ¨ −112 ¸!! (1)
© 10 ¹
log 6
x −1 = § I ·
log 3 and 55 = 10 log ¨ −212 ¸!! (2)
© 10 ¹
log 6
x= +1 (1) − (2):
log 3
§ I · § I ·
= 2.63 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) 45 − 55 = 10 log ¨ −112 ¸ − 10 log ¨ −212 ¸
© 10 ¹ © 10 ¹
§ I 10−12 ·
21. 2(7 x + 2 ) = 1 −10 = 10 log ¨ −112 × ¸
© 10 I2 ¹
1
7 x+2 = §I ·
2 log ¨ 1 ¸ = −1
§1· © I2 ¹
log 7 x + 2 = log ¨ ¸ I1 1
©2¹ =
§1· I 2 10
( x + 2)log 7 = log ¨ ¸ ɺ The ratio of the sound intensity in the study room to
©2¹
that at home is 1: 10.
§1·
log ¨ ¸
x+2= ©2¹ 25. The magnitude of the Pakistan Earthquake on the Richter
log 7 scale
§1· 2
log ¨ ¸ = log(3.16 × 1016 ) − 3.2
©2¹ −2 3
x= = 7.8 (cor. to 1 d. p.)
log 7
= −2.36 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) ɻ 7.8 > 7.5
ɺ The Pakistan Earthquake was more likely to cause more
serious damage.
22. 4 x = 5 x −1
log 4 x = log 5 x −1 26. Let E J be the energy released in the explosion.
x log 4 = ( x − 1)log 5 1
5.5 = log 4 E
x log 4 = x log 5 − log 5 2
log 4 E = 11
x(log 4 − log 5) = − log 5
− log 5 E = 411
x= The magnitude of the explosion on Scale B
log 4 − log 5
= log 2 411 − 2
= 7.21 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
= log 2 22×11 − 2
23. Let I W/m2 be the sound intensity of the vacuum cleaner. = 22 − 2
§ I · = 20
75 = 10log ¨ −12 ¸
© 10 ¹
27. Suppose the value of the car depreciates to less than
§ I ·
7.5 = log ¨ −12 ¸ $366 000 after n years.
© 10 ¹ ɻ 700 000(1 − 15%) n < 366 000
I
107.5 = −12 183
10 ɺ 0.85n <
350
I = 107.5 × 10−12
§ 183 ·
= 10 −4.5 log0.85n < log ¨ ¸
© 350 ¹
The sound intensity level of the air-conditioner
§ 183 ·
§ −4.5 1 · n log 0.85 < log ¨ ¸
¨ 10 × 1000 ¸ © 350 ¹
= 10log ¨ ¸ dB
¨¨ 10−12 ¸¸ § 183 ·
log ¨ ¸
© ¹ n> © 350 ¹
§ 10−4.5 × 10−3 · log 0.85
= 10log ¨ ¸ dB
© 10
−12
¹ n > 3.98...
ɺ It takes at least 4 years for the value of the car to
= 10log10 4.5 dB
depreciate to less than $366 000.
= 45 dB

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

28. Suppose the amount exceeds $10 000 after n years. 3log 4 − 2log 2 3log 4 − log 22
(b) =
5000(1 + 8.5%) n > 10 000 § 4 · log(3 × 4) + 2(log 4 − log 3)
2
log 36 + 2log ¨ ¸
1.085n > 2 ©3¹
log1.085n > log 2 3log 4 − log 4
=
n log1.085 > log 2 log 3 + log 4 + 2log 4 − 2log 3
2

log 2 2log 4
n> =
log1.085 2log 3 + log 4 + 2log 4 − 2log 3
n > 8.49... 2log 4
=
ɺ It takes at least 9 years for the amount to 3log 4
exceed $10 000. 2
=
3
29.

log 4 12 log 4 12
32. (a) + log 4 2 = + log 4 2
log8 12 log 4 12
log 4 8
= log 4 8 + log 4 2
= log 4 (8 × 2)
= log 4 4 2
=2

log 5 log 7 log 9

(b) log 3 5 • log 5 7 • log 7 9 = • •
log 3 log 5 log 7
log 9
30. =
log 3
log 32
=
log 3
2log 3
=
log 3
=2

1
(log a ) 2 − log10 (log a 2 ) 2 − 1
33. =
log a − 1
1
log a 2 − 1
2
§1 ·
¨ log a ¸ − 1
= © 2 ¹
Level 2 1
log a − 1
31. (a) log 5 180 − 2(log 5 3 + log 5 10) 2
= log 5 180 − 2log 5 (3 × 10) §1 ·§ 1 ·
¨ log a + 1¸¨ log a − 1¸
= log 5 180 − log 5 30 2 = © 2 ¹© 2 ¹
1
§ 180 · log a − 1
= log 5 ¨ ¸ 2
© 900 ¹ 1
§1· = log a + 1 (or log a + 1)
= log 5 ¨ ¸ 2
©5¹
= log 5 5−1
log 7 a 4 + log 7 b8 4log 7 a + 8 log 7 b
= −1 34. =
log 7 (ab 2 ) log 7 a + log 7 b 2
4(log 7 a + 2 log 7 b)
=
log 7 a + 2 log 7 b
=4

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

§ a 2b · § 5y ·
2
§ 5y ·
log ¨ ¸ 39. log 3 (45 xy ) + log 3 ¨ 2 ¸ − 3log 3 ¨ ¸
log(a b) − log(ab)
2
© ab ¹ ©x ¹ © x ¹
35. =
log(ab 2 ) − log(a 2b 2 ) § ab 2 · 2 3
log ¨ 2 2 ¸ § 5y · § 5y ·
= log 3 (45 xy ) + log 3 ¨ 2 ¸ − log 3 ¨ ¸
©a b ¹ ©x ¹ © x ¹
log a §
= 25 y 2 125 y 3 ·
log a −1 = log 3 ¨ 45 xy • 4 ÷ ¸
© x x3 ¹
log a
= = log 3 9
− log a
= log 3 32
= −1
=2

3log 5 ( xy 2 ) − log 5 ( xy 2 ) 2log 5 ( xy 2 )

36. = § 3× 4 ·
log 5 ( xy 2 )3 3log 5 ( xy 2 ) 40. (a) log1.2 = log ¨ ¸
© 10 ¹
2
= = log 3 + log 4 − log10
3
= x + y −1

§ 1 ·
37. 2log(2 x y ) − log ¨ ¸ − log x y
5 2
(b) log18 = log(3 × 2)
2

© 25 x ¹ 1
§ 1 · 5 = log 32 + log 4 2
= log(2 x y ) 2 − log ¨ ¸ − log( x 2 y )
1
¨ 1
¸ = 2log 3 + log 4
© 25 x 2 ¹ 2
§ 1 5
· y
= log ¨ 4 x 2 y ÷ ÷ x2 y ¸ = 2x +
© 25 x ¹ 2
§ 2 1
·
4 x • 25 x 2 ¸
= log ¨¨ 5 ¸ (c) log 9 40 =
log 40
¨ ¸ log 9
© x2 y ¹
= log100 log(4 × 10)
=
log 32
= log102
log 4 + log10
=2 =
2log 3
y +1
§ y · § y · =
log ¨ 2 ¸ log ¨ 2 ¸ 2x
© 2x ¹ = © 2x ¹
38.
log(2 y ) 2 − 4log(2 x ) log(2 y ) 2 − log(2 x) 4
log 24
§ y · (d) log 2 24 =
log ¨ 2 ¸ log 2
= © 2x ¹
3
ª (2 y ) 2 º log(3 × 4 2 )
log « 4 » =
¬ (2 x) ¼ 1
log 4 2
§ y ·
log ¨ 2 ¸ 3

= © 2x ¹ log 3 + log 4 2
2 =
§ y · 1
log ¨ 2 ¸ log 4
© 2x ¹ 2
§ y · 3
log 3 + log 4
log ¨ 2 ¸
= © 2x ¹ = 2
1
§ y · log 4
2log ¨ 2 ¸ 2
© 2x ¹
2x + 3 y
1 =
= y
2

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

41. log 5 15 = r log 3 (3 x − 4)

45. = −1
log 3 15 log 1 ( x + 2)
=r 3
log 3 5
log 3 (3 x − 4) = − log 1 ( x + 2)
log 3 (3 × 5) = r log 3 5 3

log 3 3 + log 3 5 = r log 3 5 log ( x + 2)

log 3 (3 x − 4) = − 3
1 + log 3 5 = r log 3 5 §1·
log 3 ¨ ¸
1 = (r − 1) log 3 5 © 3¹
1 log 3 ( x + 2)
log 3 5 = log 3 (3 x − 4) = −
r −1 log 3 3−1
log 3 (3 x − 4) = log 3 ( x + 2)
42. 2log x − log(1 − x) = 1 3x − 4 = x + 2
1 2x = 6
log( x ) − log(1 − x) = 1
2 2
x=3
§ x ·
log ¨ ¸ =1
©1− x ¹ 46. log x − log y = log ( x + y )
x § x·
= 10
1− x log ¨ ¸ = log ( x + y )
© y¹
x = 10 − 10 x
x
11x = 10 = x+ y
y
10
x= x = xy + y 2
11
x(1 − y ) = y 2
43. log 2 (2 x − 1) + log 1 ( x + 1) = 2 y2
x=
2 1− y
log 2 ( x + 1)
log 2 (2 x − 1) + =2
§1· log 3 x − 1 = log 3 ( x − 2 y )
log 2 ¨ ¸ 47.
©2¹
log 3 x − log 3 ( x − 2 y ) = 1
log 2 ( x + 1)
log 2 (2 x − 1) + =2 § x ·
log 2 2−1 log 3 ¨ ¸ =1
log 2 (2 x − 1) − log 2 ( x + 1) = 2 © x − 2y ¹
x
§ 2x −1 · =3
log 2 ¨ ¸=2 x − 2y
© x +1 ¹
x = 3x − 6 y
2x − 1
= 22 2x = 6 y
x +1
2x − 1 = 4x + 4 x = 3y
2 x = −5
5 48. 52 x − 3 = 121− 3 x
x=− (rejected)
2 log 52 x − 3 = log 121− 3 x
ɺ log 2 (2 x − 1) + log 1 ( x + 1) = 2 has no solutions. (2 x − 3) log 5 = (1 − 3 x) log 12
2
2 x log 5 − 3 log 5 = log 12 − 3 x log 12
log( x 2 − 1) x(2 log 5 + 3 log 12) = log 12 + 3 log 5
44. =2 log 12 + 3 log 5
log( x + 3) x=
2 log 5 + 3 log 12
log( x 2 − 1) = 2log( x + 3)
= 0.685 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
log( x 2 − 1) = log( x + 3)2
x 2 − 1 = ( x + 3)2
49. 3(42 x ) = 23 x −1
x 2 − 1 = x2 + 6 x + 9
log[3(42 x )] = log 23 x −1
6 x = −10
log 3 + log 42 x = (3 x − 1) log 2
5
x=− log 3 + 2 x log 4 = 3 x log 2 − log 2
3
log 2 + log 3 = x(3log 2 − 2log 4)
log 2 + log 3
x=
3log 2 − 2log 4
= −2.58 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)

36 © United Prime Educational Publishing (HK) Ltd. 2023

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

50. 2 x + 2 − 5(2 x −1 ) = 1 53. (a) L.H.S. = log a b

2 x −1 (23 − 5) = 1 log b b
=
x −1
3(2 ) =1 log b a
1 1
2 x −1 = =
3 log b a
§1· = R.H.S.
log 2 x −1 = log ¨ ¸
© 3¹ ɺ log a b =
1
, where a, b > 0 and a, b ≠ 1
§1· log b a
( x − 1)log 2 = log ¨ ¸
© 3¹
3 1 3
§1· (b) log 2 8 = or log8 2 = or log 4 8 = or
log ¨ ¸ 1 3 2
x= © 3 ¹ +1
2
log 2 log8 4 = (any two of the answers)
= −0.585 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.) 3

54. 25 000(1.005)t = 40 000(0.992)t

51. ­ log x + 2 = log (5 y ) !! (1)
®
t
§ 0.992 ·
¯log y − log(8 x + 3) = 0 !! (2) 0.625 = ¨ ¸
From (2), © 1.005 ¹
log y − log(8 x + 3) = 0 § 0.992 ·
log 0.625 = t log ¨ ¸
log y = log(8 x + 3) © 1.005 ¹
ɺ y = 8 x + 3 !! (3) t = 36.1 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
By substituting (3) into (1), we have ɺ Starting from 2060, the number of male will exceed the
log x + 2 = log[5(8 x + 3)] number of female in the city.
log x + log100 = log(40 x + 15)
55. (a) Let m be the number of years for the radioactive
log (100 x) = log(40 x + 15) substance to decay to half of its initial weight.
100 x = 40 x + 15 m
W0 § 1 ·100
60 x = 15 = W0 ¨ ¸
2 ©2¹
1
x= m

4 § 1 ·100 1
¨ ¸ =
©2¹ 2
1
By substituting x = into (3), we have m
4 =1
100
§1·
y = 8¨ ¸ + 3 m = 100
©4¹ ɺ It takes 100 years for the radioactive substance to
=5 decay to half of its initial weight.

52. ­log 2 x − log 2 y = 2 !! (1) (b) Suppose the radioactive substance will lose more than
® 10% of its initial weight after n years.
¯log 2 (3x − 2 y ) = 1 !! (2) n

From (1), log 2 x − log 2 y = 2 § 1 ·100

ɻ W0 × (1 − 10%) > W0 ¨ ¸
©2¹
§x·
log 2 ¨ ¸ = 2 n

© y¹ § 1 ·100 9
ɺ ¨ ¸ <
x ©2¹ 10
= 22 n
y
§ 1 ·100 §9·
x = 4 y !! (3) log ¨ ¸ < log ¨ ¸
©2¹ © 10 ¹
By substituting (3) into (2), we have
n §1· §9·
log 2 [3(4 y ) − 2 y ] = 1 log ¨ ¸ < log ¨ ¸
100 ©2¹ © 10 ¹
log 2 (10 y ) = 1
§ 9·
10 y = 2 100log ¨ ¸
n> © 10 ¹
1
y= §1·
5 log ¨ ¸
©2¹
1 n > 15.20...
By substituting y = into (3), we have
5 ɺ It takes at least 16 years for the radioactive
§1· substance to lose more than 10% of its initial
x = 4¨ ¸ weight.
©5¹
4
=
5

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

4−2 log 4 1.8

56. (a) ɻ Slope of the line = (ii) log 1 1.8 =
3−0 §1·
4 log 4 ¨ ¸
2 ©4¹
ɺ m=
3 log 4 1.8
=
ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, 2). log 4 4−1
ɺ log k = 2 = − log 4 1.8
k = 10 2 From the graph, when x = 1.8, y = 0.4.
= 100 ɺ log 1 1.8 = −0.4
4

(b) From (a), we have (b)

2
log C = log x + log100
3
2
log C = log x 3 + log100
2
log C = log(100 x 3 )
2

ɺġ C = 100 x 3
2
(c) By substituting x = 3375 into C = 100 x 3 , we have
2
C = 100(3375) 3 (i) From the graph, when y = –0.8, x = 0.3.
= 22 500 ɺ The solution of log 4 x = −0.8 is x = 0.3 .
ɺ The cost of printing 3375 posters is $22 500. (ii) 5log 1 x + 3 = 0
4
57. (a) y = pq x log 1 x = −0.6
log 3 y = log 3 ( pq x ) 4

log 4 x
log 3 y = log 3 p + x log 3 q = −0.6
§1·
log 4 ¨ ¸
(b) From (a), we have ©4¹
log 3 y = log 3 p + x log 3 q log 4 x
= −0.6
ɻ The intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is log 4 4−1
–2. log 4 x = 0.6
ɺ log3 p = –2 From the graph, when y = 0.6, x = 2.3.
p = 3−2 ɺ The solution of 5log 1 x + 3 = 0 is x = 2.3.
4
1
= 59. (a) W = 4(0.4) t
9
log 0.4 W = log 0.4 [4(0.4)t ]
−2 − 0
ɻ The slope of the line = log 0.4 W = log 0.4 4 + log 0.4 (0.4)t
0−2
ɺ log 3 q = 1 ɺ log 0.4 W = log 0.4 4 + t
ġ
q=3
(b) By substituting W = 3 into log 0.4 W = log 0.4 4 + t ,
we have
58. (a)
log 0.4 3 = log 0.4 4 + t
t = log 0.4 3 − log 0.4 4

(i) From the graph, when x = 3.5, y = 0.9.

ɺ log 4 3.5 = 0.9

From the graph,

when x = 3, y = log 0.4 3
= −1.2

38 © United Prime Educational Publishing (HK) Ltd. 2023

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

when x = 4, y = log 0.4 4 (b) (i) From (a)(ii), we have

= −1.5 r (t ) = 4t1.5
ɺ t = −1.2 − (−1.5) By substituting t = 3 into r (t ) = 4t1.5 , we have
= 0.3 r (3) = 4(3)1.5
ɺ The time taken is 0.3 minutes. = 20.8 (cor. to 1 d.p.)
ɺ The amount of pollutants discharged in the
60. (a) ɻ The graph cuts the vertical axis at (0, 3). 3rd month since operation started is 20.8 units.
ɺ log5 b = 3
b = 53 (ii) Suppose the chemical plant discharges more than
b = 125 50 units of pollutants per month after t months.
4t1.5 > 50
5
3− t1.5 > 12.5
ɻ Slope of the line = 2
2
0 − 10
t > 12.5 3
1
ɺ log5 k = − t > 5.38...
20
ɺ In the 6th month since operation started, the
1
−
k =5 20 chemical plant will be prosecuted.
= 0.92 (cor. to 2 d.p.) Challenging Questions (p.7.63)
1. ɻ 2 = 10r and 12 = 10s
(b) From (a), we have ɺ r = log 2 and s = log12
log 5 A = log 5 125 + (log 5 0.92)t
§ 12 ·
log 3 = log ¨ ¸
log 5 A = log 5 (125 × 0.92t ) © 4¹
A = 125(0.92)t = log12 − log 22
= log12 − 2log 2
(c) When t = 6,
= s − 2r
A = 125(0.92)6
≈ 75.794 375 17 2. (a) log 5 ( x + 1) − 2 = log 25 y
ɺ The sales amount of the product half year after the
log 5 y
promotion has stopped is 76 000 (cor. to the log 5 ( x + 1) − log 5 52 =
nearest thousand). log 5 25
§ x + 1 · log 5 y
(d) Suppose the sales amount will drop below 50 000 after log 5 ¨ ¸=
© 25 ¹ log 5 5
2

k months.
§ x + 1 · log 5 y
¸=
50000 log 5 ¨
125(0.92)k <
1000 © 25 ¹ 2
§ x +1·
1
0.92k < 0.4 log 5 ¨ ¸ = log 5 y
2

log 0.92k < log 0.4 © 25 ¹

k log 0.92 < log 0.4 x +1 1
= y2
log 0.4 25
k>
log 0.92 x = 25 y − 1
k > 10.98...
ɺ At least 11 months later the sales amount will (b) 2log 2 y − log 1 x = 1
2
first drop below 50 000.
log 2 x
log 2 y 2 − =1
61. (a) (i) r (t ) = at b §1·
log 2 ¨ ¸
log[r (t )] = log(at b ) ©2¹
log 2 x
log[r (t )] = log a + log t b log 2 y 2 − =1
log 2 2−1
ɺ log[r (t )] = b log t + log a
log 2 y 2 + log 2 x = 1
(ii) ɻ Intercept on the vertical axis = 0.6 log 2 xy 2 = 1
ɺ log a = 0.6 xy 2 = 2
a = 10 0.6
2
x=
= 4.0 (cor. to 1 d.p.) y2
1.8 − 0.6
ɻ Slope of the line =
0.8 − 0
ɺ b = 1.5

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions
300
3. (a) (i) log 3= 300 log 3 6. Answer : C
≈ 143.136 376 4 log(2 x − 1) = log x − 1
ɺ 3 ≈ 10
300 143.136 3764
log(2 x − 1) = log x − log10
300
ɺ 3 has 144 digits. § x·
log(2 x − 1) = log ¨ ¸
200 © 10 ¹
(ii) log 4 = 200 log 4
x
≈ 120.411 998 3 2x − 1 =
ɺ 4 ≈ 10
200 120.411 998 3 10
200
ɺ 4 has 121 digits. 20 x − 10 = x
10
300 200
x=
(b) ɻ 3 has more digits than 4 . 19
300
ɺ 3 is larger.
7. Answer : A
Multiple Choice Questions (p. 7.63) log 2 x : log 2 y = 2 : 3
1. Answer : C
x log 2 x 2
ɻ a =b =
ɺ By the definition of logarithm to an arbitrary base, log 2 y 3
x = log a b 3log 2 x = 2log 2 y
log 2 x 3 = log 2 y 2
2. Answer : A x3 = y 2
§ 10 · 2
2
log150 = log ¨ × 3¸ x = y3
© 2 ¹
= log102 − log 2 + log3
8. Answer : C
=2−a+b
32 x = 23 y
3. Answer : B log 32 x = log 23 y
§ 10 · log(32 ) x = log(23 ) y
log15 = log ¨ × 3 ¸
© 2 ¹ x log 9 = y log 8
= log10 − log 2 + log 3 x log 8
=
1 y log 9
= 1 − log 4 + log 3
2

1
= log 3 − log 4 + 1 9. Answer : D
2
log y − log 2 = 3 log x
y
= x − +1 § y·
2 log ¨ ¸ = log x 3
©2¹
y
4. Answer : C = x3
x− y 2
§1·
z =¨ ¸ y = 2 x3
© 10 ¹
z = (10−1 ) x − y
10. Answer : A
z = 10− x + y x = log a y
log z = − x + y log y
x=
y = x + log z log a
1 log a
=
5. Answer : C x log y
log 2 ( x + a ) = 5 1
= log y a
x + a = 25 x
x = 32 − a

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

11. Answer : B 15. Answer : B

For I: y = ab x
ɻ a > 0 and b < 0
log 9 y = log 9 (ab x )
ɺ ab < 0
i.e. log(ab) is undefined. log 9 y = x log 9 b + log 9 a
ɺ I must be true. 2−0
ɻ Slope of the line =
For II: 4−0
1 1
Let a = . ɺ log9 b =
2 2
1 1
=2
a b = 92
§1· =3
log ¨ ¸ = log 2 > 0
©a¹
ɺ II may not be true. 16. Answer : B
For III: y = kp x
ɻ log a = b log y = log(kp x )
ɺ a = 10 < 1 (ɻ b < 0)
b
log y = x log p + log k
ɺ III must be true. Slope of the graph = log p
ɺ The answer is B. > 0 (ɻ p > 1)
The intercept on the vertical axis of the graph
12. Answer : A = log k
Since log 1 x is undefined for x ≤ 0, the graph of
< 0 ( ɺ 0 < k < 1)
2

y = log 1 x lies on the right-hand side of the y-axis. ɺ The answer is B.

2

ɺ C and D are not the answer. 17. Answer : D

ɻ The graph of y = log 1 x lies above the x-axis for For I:
2
Refer to the graphs, the values of both f (x) and g(x) increase
0 < x < 1 and lies below the x-axis for x > 1. as x increases.
ɺ The answer is A. Put x = 10.
log (10) = 1
13. Answer : A log5 (10) ≈ 1.430 676 558
For I: ɺ log5 10 > log 10 > 0
§1·
x
ɺ f (x) = log5 x and g(x) = log x
The graphs of y = log 1 x and y = ¨ ¸ show reflectional ɺ I is not true.
3 © 3¹
For II:
symmetry with each other about the line y = x.
Refer to the graphs, the value of h(x) decreases as x
ɺ I is true.
increases.
For II:
ɺ h( x) = log 1 x
The graphs of y = log 3 x and y = log 1 x show reflectional 5
3
ɺ II is true.
symmetry with each other about the x-axis.
For III:
ɺ II is true.
When y = 0,
For III:
x
0 = log 1 x
§1·
y = ¨ ¸ > 0 for all real values of x.
5

© 3¹ x =1
x ɺ The coordinates of A are (1, 0).
§1·
ɺ The graph of y = ¨ ¸ does not cut the x-axis. ɺ III is true.
© 3¹ For IV:
ɺ III is not true. ɻ log x is undefined for x ≤ 0 .
ɺ The answer is A. ɺ The domain of g(x) is all positive real numbers.
ɺ IV is true.
14. Answer : C
ɺ The answer is D.
y = kx n
log y = log( kx n )
log y = log k + log x n
ɺ log y = n log x + log k
ɻġ The intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is 1.
ɺ log k = 1
k = 10

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

18. Answer : A 3. d = log 4 2 + log 4 4 + log 4 8 + ... + log 4 28

ɻ The x-intercept of G is 64.
= log 4 (2 × 4 × 8 × ! × 28 )
ɺ By substituting (64, 0) into the equation of G, we have
(0) = p + log q (64) = log 4 (21 × 22 × 23 × ! × 28 )
p = − log q 64 !! (1) = log 4 21+ 2 + 3+...+ 8
By substituting (1024, 4) into the equation of G, we have = log 4 236
(4) = p + log q (1024) = log 4 (2 2 )18
p = 4 − log q 1024 !! (2) = log 4 418
By substituting (1) into (2), we have = 18
− log q 64 = 4 − log q 1024
4 = log q 1024 − log q 64 § § § n  ···
zeros

§ 1024 · 4. log ¨ log ¨ log ¨100! 0 ¸ ¸ ¸ = 1

4 = log q ¨ ¨¨ ¨ ¨ ¸¸¸
© 64 ¹
¸ © © © ¹ ¹ ¹¸
4 = log q 16 log(log(log10n )) = 1
q = 16
4
log(log10 n ) = 10
q = 2 ( ɻ q > 0) log10n = 1010
By substituting q = 2 into (1), we have 10n = 10(10
10
)

p = − log 2 64 n = 1010

= − log 2 26
= −6
ɺ y = −6 + log 2 x
y + 6 = log 2 x
x = 2 y +6

HKMO (p. 7.66)

2 2 2

1. log8 3 + log 27 3 + log125 3

log 9 + log 25 + log 2 − log15
2 2 2
log(23 ) 3 + log(33 ) 3 + log(53 ) 3
=
log 32 + log 52 + log 2 − log(3 × 5)
2log 2 + 2log 3 + 2log 5
=
2log 3 + 2 log 5 + log 2 − (log 3 + log 5)
2(log 2 + log 3 + log 5)
=
log 2 + log 3 + log 5
=2

2. Given that α and β are the roots of the equation

x 2 − 52007 x + 51000 = 0 .
Product of roots = αβ = 51000
§α2 · § β2 ·
s = log 25 ¨ ¸ + log 25 ¨ ¸
© β ¹ ©α ¹
§α2 β2 ·
= log 25 ¨ • ¸
© β α ¹
= log 25 (αβ )
= log 25 (51000 )
= log 25 (52 )500
= log 25 25500
= 500

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

([DP)RFXV

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

Try a Similar Question (p. 7.68)

Answer : A
For I:
Let OP = p.
When x = 0,
y = m0
y =1
ɺ y-intercept = 1
ɻ Refer to the graphs, the value of mx decreases as x increases
while the value of nx increases as x increases.
ɺ 0 < m < 1 and n > 1
From the equations y = mx and y = nx, we have
log y log y
x= and x =
log m log n
From the graphs, we have
MP > NP
log p log p
− >
log m log n
− log m < log n
1
log < log n
m
1
<n
m
mn > 1
ɺ I must be true.
For II:
ɻ P lies above (0, 1).
ɺ OP > 1
ɺ II must be true.
For III:
log p
−
MP log m
=
NP log p
log n
log n
=−
log m
= − log m n
1
= log m
n
ɺ III may not be true.
ɺ The answer is A.

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

Exam-type Questions (p. 7.69)

1. (a) log 5
10
= log
2
= log10 − log 2 1M
= 1− a 1A
(2)
(b) log 0.35
= log(7 ÷ 2 ÷ 10)
= log 7 − log 2 − log10 1M
= b − a −1 1A
(2)

(c) log 28
= log 22 × 7
1
= log(2 × 7 2 )
1
= log 2 + log 7 2 1M
1
= log 2 + log7
2
1
=a+ b 1A
2
(2)
log 81 + log 9
2. (a)
log 27
log 34 + log 32
=
log 33
4 log 3 + 2 log 3
= 1M
3log 3
6 log 3
=
3log 3
=2 1A
(2)
log 81 + log 9
(b) log11 (2 x + 1) =
log 27

log11 (2 x + 1) = 2 1M

2 x + 1 = 112
ɺ x = 60 1A

(2)

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  /RJDULWKPLF )XQFWLRQV

6XJJHVWHG6ROXWLRQV 0DUNV 5HPDUNV

Q
 \=P[
log 9 y = log 9 (mx n )
log 9 y = log 9 m + log 9 x n
log 3 y
= log9 m + n log 9 x 0
log 3 9
log 3 y
= log 9 m + n log 9 x
log 3 32
log 3 y
= log9 m + n log 9 x
2
log 3 y = 2n log 9 x + 2 log 9 m
ɻ 7KHLQWHUFHSWRQWKHYHUWLFDOD[LVRIWKHJUDSKLV±
ɺ ORJP=± 0
1
log 9 m = −
2
1
−
m=9 2

1 IRUHLWKHURQH
=
3
−1 − 0
ɻ 6ORSHRIWKHOLQH=
0 − (−2)
1
ɺ Q= −
2
1
Q= −
4

1 − 14
ɺ y= x      $   
3

[
 \=DE
log 2 y = log 2 ab x
log 2 y = log 2 a + log 2 b x 0
log 2 y = x log 2 b + log 2 a

ɻ 7KHJUDSKFXWVWKHYHUWLFDOD[LVDW ± 
ɺ ORJD=± 0
−4
a=2
1
= IRUHLWKHURQH
16
−4 − 0
ɻ 6ORSHRIWKHOLQH=
0 −1
ɺ ORJE=±
b = 24
= 16
1
ɺ y = (16) x      $   
16


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6XJJHVWHG6ROXWLRQV 0DUNV 5HPDUNV

 ɻ 7KH[LQWHUFHSWRIWKHJUDSKLV
ɺ %\VXEVWLWXWLQJ  LQWR\=D+ORJE[ZHKDYH
0 = a + log b (0.25) 0
a = − log b 0.25!! (1)
IRUHLWKHURQH
%\VXEVWLWXWLQJ  LQWR\=D+ORJE[ZHKDYH
(3.5) = a + log b (32)
a = 3.5 − log b 32!! (2)
%\VXEVWLWXWLQJ  LQWR  ZHKDYH
− log b 0.25 = 3.5 − log b 32 0
log b 32 − log b 0.25 = 3.5
§ 32 ·
log b ¨ ¸ = 3.5
© 0.25 ¹
logb 128 = 3.5
128 = b3.5 0
1
b = 1283.5
=4
%\VXEVWLWXWLQJE LQWR  ZHKDYH
a = − log (4) 0.25
= − log 4 4−1
= −(−1)
=1
ɺ \=+ORJ[
 log 4 x = y − 1
x = 4 y −1     $   


1
 D %\VXEVWLWXWLQJ[=  LQWR\=ORJ[ZHKDYH
2
§1·
y = log 3 ¨ ¸
©2¹
§1·
35 ±ORJ ¨ ¸ 0
©2¹
§1·
±ORJ ¨ ¸
©2¹
1 IRUHLWKHURQH
%\VXEVWLWXWLQJ[=  LQWR\=ORJ[ZHKDYH
2
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©2¹
§1·
45 ±ORJ ¨ ¸
©2¹
§1·
±ORJ ¨ ¸
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 ‹8QLWHG3ULPH(GXFDWLRQDO3XEOLVKLQJ +. /WG
 3HDUVRQ(GXFDWLRQ$VLD/LPLWHG
 7 Logarithmic Functions

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

§1·
− log 3 ¨ ¸
PR
= ©2¹
QR §1·
− log ¨ ¸
©2¹
§1·
log ¨ ¸
= ©2¹× 1 1M
log 3 §1·
log ¨ ¸
©2¹
1
= 1A
log 3
(3)

(b) By substituting x = k into y = log3 x, we have

y = log3 (k)
ɺ AC = log3 k
By substituting x = k into y = log x, we have
y = log (k)
ɺ BC = log k

AC log3 k
=
BC log k
log k 1
= ×
log 3 log k
1
= 1M
log 3
PR
=
QR

ɺ The claim is agreed. 1A

(2)

7. Answer : B
For option A:
351 log 135 ≈ 747.747 152 7
For option B:
315 log 351 ≈ 801.771 741 7
For option C:
153 log 513 ≈ 414.647 956 9
For option D:
135 log 531 ≈ 367.887 760 3
ɻ 315 log 351 > 351 log 135 > 153 log 513 > 135 log 531
315 351 153 135
ɺ 351 > 135 > 513 > 531
315
ɺ 351 is the greatest.
ɺ The answer is B.

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

8. Answer : A
For option A:
3300 log 100 = 3300(2) = 6600
For option B:
3000 log 200 ≈ 6903.089 987
For option C:
2700 log 300 ≈ 6688.227 388
For option D:
2500 log 500 ≈ 6747.425 011
ɻ 3000 log 200 > 2500 log 500 > 2700 log 300
> 3300 log 100
3000 2500 2700 3300
ɺ 200 > 500 > 300 > 100
3300
ɺ 100 is the smallest.
ɺ The answer is A.

9. Answer : C
1
y = log 7
x
1
log
y= x
log 7
1 log 7
=
y log 1
x
log 7
=
log x −1
log 7
=
− log x
= − log x 7
= log x 7 −1
1
= log x
7

10. Answer : C

log 4 a = c − log 4 b
log 4 a + log 4 b = c
log 4 (ab) = c
ab = 4c
4c
b=
a

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 7 Logarithmic Functions

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

11. Answer : A
y = ab x
log 4 y = log 4 (ab x )
log 4 y = log 4 a + log 4 b x
log 4 y = (log 4 b) x + log 4 a
0 − 16
ɻ Slope of the line =
8−0
ɺ log 4 b = −2
b = 4−2
1
=
16

12. Answer : A
y = axb
log y = log(axb )
log y = log a + log xb
log y = b log x + log a
ɻġ Intercept on the vertical axis = –2
ɺ log a = −2
a = 10−2
1
=
100

13. Answer : B
The equation of the graph is log 2 y = m log 2 x + c .
ɻġ The intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is 4.
ɺ c=4
4−0
ɻġ Slope of the graph =
0−2
ɺ m = –2
ɺ log 2 y = −2 log 2 x + 4
log 2 y = log 2 x −2 + log 2 16
log 2 y = log 2 16 x −2
y = 16 x −2
x 2 y = 16

14. Answer : D
Let log8 y = m log 2 x + n .
ɻ The intercept on the vertical axis of the graph is 3.
ɺ n=3

3−0
ɻ Slope of the line =
0−5

3
ɺ m=−
5

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HKDSE Mathematics in Action (3rd Edition) 4B Full Solutions

Suggested Solutions Marks Remarks

3
log8 y = − log 2 x + 3
5
log 2 y 3
= − log 2 x + 3
log 2 8 5
3
log 2 y −
= log 2 x 5 + log 2 23
3
1
§ − ·
3
log 2 y 3 = log 2 ¨ 23 x 5 ¸
© ¹
1 3
−
y 3 = 23 x 5

15 15
§ 13 · § 3 −3 ·
¨ y ¸ = ¨2 x 5 ¸
© ¹ © ¹
45 −9
y =2 x
5

x 9 y 5 = 245
15. Answer : A
x 1
ɻ The y-intercept of the graph of y = mn is .
3
1 x
ɺ By substituting x = 0 and y = into y = mn , we have
3
1
= mn(0)
3
1
m=
3
1 x
ɺ y= n
3
1 x
Refer to the graph, the value of n increases as x increases.
3
ɺ n>1
§1 ·
log 5 y = log 5 ¨ n x ¸
©3 ¹
§1·
log 5 y = log 5 ¨ ¸ + log5 n x
©3¹
§1·
log 5 y = x log 5 n + log 5 ¨ ¸
©3¹
§1·
Slope of the graph of log 5 y = x log 5 n + log 5 ¨ ¸
©3¹
= log5 n
>0 (ɻ n > 1)
Intercept on the vertical axis of the
§1·
graph of log 5 y = x log 5 n + log 5 ¨ ¸
©3¹
§1·
= log 5 ¨ ¸
©3¹
<0
ɺ The answer is A.

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