A LEVEL (P3)

LOGARITHMS,
INDICES AND
LINEAR LAW
MARK SCHEME
 MARKING SCHEMES 1 TOPIC 3: Logarithms Indices and Linear Law

2 Use law for subtraction or addition of logarithms, or the equivalent in exponentials M1

Use In e = 1 or e = exp(1) M1
1+ x
Obtain a correct equation free of logarithms e.g. = e or 1 + x = ex A1
x
Obtain answer x = 0.58 (allow 0.582 or answer rounding to it) A1 4

3 State or imply that ln y = ln A + n ln x B1

Equate estimate of ln y -intercept to ln A M1
Obtain value A between 1.97 and 2.03 A1
Calculate the gradient of the line of data points M1
Obtain value n = 0.25, or equivalent A1 [5]

5 Use laws of logarithms and remove logarithms correctly M1

Obtain x + 2 = e 2 x , or equivalent A1
Obtain answer x = 0.313 A1 [3]
[SR: If the logarithmic work is to base 10 then only the M mark is available.]

6 State or imply 2 + e–x = e2 B1

Carry out method for finding ± x from e±x = k , where k > 0, following sound ln
or exp work M1
Obtain x = – ln(e2 – 2) , or equivalent expression for x A1
Obtain answer x = –1.68 A1 4
[The answer must be given to 2 decimal places]
[SR: the M1 is available for attempts starting with 2 + e–x = 102]
 MARKING SCHEMES 2 TOPIC 3: Logarithms Indices and Linear Law

7 EITHER: Use laws of indices correctly and solve a linear equation for 3x, or for 3–x M1
2
3
Obtain 3x, or 3–x in any correct form, e.g. 3x = 2 A1
(3 − 1)
Use correct method for solving 3±x = a for x, where a > 0 M1
Obtain answer x = 0.107 A1
xn
ln(3 + 9)
OR: State an appropriate iterative formula, e.g. xn+1 = −2 B1
ln 3
Use the formula correctly at least once M1
Obtain answer x = 0.107 A1
Show that the equation has no other root but 0.107 A1 [4]
[For the solution 0.107 with no relevant working, award B1 and a further B1 if 0.107
is shown to be the only root.]

8 (i) EITHER: State or imply n ln x + ln y = ln C B1

Substitute x- and y-values and solve for n M1
Obtain n = 1.50 A1
Solve for C M1
Obtain C = 6.00 A1
OR: Obtain two correct equations by substituting x- and y-values in x n y = C B1
Solve for n M1
Obtain n = 1.50 A1
Solve for C M1
Obtain C = 6.00 A1 [5]

(ii) State that the graph of ln y against ln x has equation nln x + ln y = ln C which is
linear in ln y and ln x, or has equation of the form nX + Y = ln C, where X = ln x and
Y = ln y, and is thus a straight line B1 [1]

9 EITHER: Attempt to solve for 2 x M1

Obtain 2x = 6/4, or equivalent A1
Use correct method for solving an equation of the form 2x = a, where a > 0 M1
Obtain answer x = 0.585 A1
OR: State an appropriate iterative formula, e.g. xn + 1 = ln((2 xn + 6) / 5) / ln 2 B1
Use the iterative formula correctly at least once M1
Obtain answer x = 0.585 A1
Show that the equation has no other root but 0.585 A1 [4]

[For the solution 0.585 with no relevant working, award B1 and a further B1 if 0.585 is shown to
be the only root.]

10 (i) State or imply 3 ln y = ln A + 2x at any stage B1

2
State gradient is , or equivalent B1 [2]
3

(ii) Substitute x = 0, ln y = 0.5 and solve for A M1

Obtain A = 4.48 A1 [2]
 MARKING SCHEMES 3 TOPIC 3: Logarithms Indices and Linear Law

11 Use law for the logarithm of a power, a quotient, or a product correctly at least once M1
Use ln e = 1 or e = exp(1) M1
Obtain a correct equation free of logarithms, e.g. 1 + x2 = ex2 A1
Solve and obtain answer x = 0.763 only A1 [4]
[For the solution x = 0.763 with no relevant working give B1, and a further B1 if 0.763 is
shown to be the only root.]
[Treat the use of logarithms to base 10 with answer 0.333 only, as a misread.]
[SR: Allow iteration, giving B1 for an appropriate formula,
e.g. xn+1 = exp((ln(1 + xn2) – 1)/2), M1 for using it correctly once, A1 for 0.763, and A1 for
showing the equation has no other root but 0.763.]

12 (i) Use at least one of e2x = 9, e y = 2 and e2y = 4 B1

Obtain given result 58 + 2k = c AG B1 [2]

dy dy
(ii) Differentiate left-hand side term by term, reaching ae2x + be y + ce2y M1
dx dx
dy dy
Obtain 12e2x + ke y + 2e2y A1
dx dx
Substitute (ln 3, ln 2) in an attempt involving implicit differentiation at least once, where
RHS = 0 M1
Obtain 108 – 12k – 48 = 0 or equivalent A1
Obtain k = 5 and c = 68 A1 [5]

13 (i) Use law for the logarithm of a product or quotient M1

Use log232 = 5 or 25 = 32 M1
Obtain x2 + 5x – 32 = 0, or horizontal equivalent A1 [3]

(ii) Solve a 3-term quadratic equation M1

153 − 5
Obtain answer x = 3.68 only, or exact equivalent, e.g. A1 [2]
2

14 Use law for the logarithm of a product, power or quotient M1*

Obtain a correct linear equation, e.g. (2x − 1) ln 5 = ln 2 + x ln 3 A1
Solve a linear equation for x M1(dep*)
Obtain answer x = 1.09 A1 [4]
x
 25 
[SR: Reduce equation to the form a x = b M1*, obtain   = 10 Al, use correct method to
 3 
calculate value of x M1(dep*), obtain answer 1.09 A1.]

15 Rearrange as e2x – ex – 6 = 0, or u2 – u – 6 = 0, or equivalent B1

Solve a 3-term quadratic for ex or for u M1
Obtain simplified solution ex = 3 or u = 3 A1
Obtain final answer x = 1.10 and no other A1 [4]
 MARKING SCHEMES 4 TOPIC 3: Logarithms Indices and Linear Law

16 State or imply 4 − 2 x = −10 and 10 B1

Use correct method for solving equation of form 2 x = a M1
Obtain 3.81 A1 [3]

17 EITHER: Use law of the logarithm of a power or quotient and remove logarithms M1
Obtain a 3-term quadratic equation x 2 − x − 3 = 0 , or equivalent A1
Solve 3-term quadratic obtaining 1 or 2 roots M1
Obtain answer 2.30 only A1
1 
OR1: Use an appropriate iterative formula, e.g. x n+1 = exp ln (3 x n + 4 ) − 1 correctly at
2 
least once M1
Obtain answer 2.30 A1
Show sufficient iterations to at least 3 d.p. to justify 2.30 to 2 d.p., or show there is a
sign change in the interval (2.295, 2.305) A1
Show there is no other root A1
OR2: Use calculated values to obtain at least one interval containing the root M1
Obtain answer 2.30 A1
Show sufficient calculations to justify 2.30 to 3 s.f., e.g. show it lies in (2.295, 2.305) A1
Show there is no other root A1 [4]

18 Use law of the logarithm of a power and a product or quotient and remove logarithms M1
2x + 3
Obtain a correct equation in any form, e.g. =3 A1
x2
Solve 3-term quadratic obtaining at least one root M1
Obtain final answer 1.39 only A1 [4]

19 EITHER Use laws of indices correctly and solve for 5x or for 5–x or for 5x–1 M1

Obtain 5x or for 5–x or for 5x–1 in any correct form, e.g. 5x = A1

Use correct method for solving 5x = a, or 5–x = a, or 5x–1 = a, where a 0 M1
Obtain answer x = 1.14 A1

OR Use an appropriate iterative formula, e.g. xn+1 = , correctly, at least onceM1

Obtain answer 1.14 A1
Show sufficient iterations to at least 3 d.p. to justify 1.14 to 2 d.p., or show
there is a sign change in the interval (1.135, 1.145) A1
Show there is no other root A1 [4]
[For the solution x = 1.14 with no relevant working give B1, and a further B1 if
1.14 is shown to be the only solution.]
 MARKING SCHEMES 5 TOPIC 3: Logarithms Indices and Linear Law

20 State or imply 1n e =1 B1
Apply at least one logarithm law for product or quotient correctly M1
(or exponential equivalent)
5
Obtain x + 5 = ex or equivalent and hence A1 [3]
e −1

21 (i) Either State or imply non-modular equation (4 x − 1)2 = ( x − 3) 2 or pair of

linear equations 4 x − 1 = ±( x − 3) B1
Solve a three-term quadratic equation or two linear equations M1
2 4
Obtain − and A1
3 5

2
Or Obtain value − from inspection or solving linear equation B1
3
4
Obtain value similarly B2 [3]
5

4
(ii) State or imply at least 4 y = , following a positive answer from part (i) B1√
5
Apply logarithms and use log ab = b log a property M1
Obtain –0.161 and no other answer A1 [3]

2
1 
22 EITHER: State or imply non-modular equation ( x − 2) 2 =  x  ,
3 
1
or pair of equations x − 2 = ± x M1
3
Obtain answer x = 3 A1
3
Obtain answer x = , or equivalent A1
2

OR: Obtain answer x = 3 by solving an equation or by inspection B1

1
State or imply the equation x – 2 = − , or equivalent M1
3
3
Obtain answer x = , or equivalent A1 [3]
2

23 EITHER: State or imply ln y = ln A – kx2 B1

Substitute values of ln y and x2, and solve for k or ln A M1
Obtain k = 0.42 or A = 2.80 A1
Solve for ln A or k M1
Obtain A = 2.80 or k = 0.42 A1

OR1: State or imply ln y = ln A – kx2 B1

Using values of ln y and x2, equate gradient of line to –k and solve for k M1
Obtain k = 0.42 A1
Solve for ln A M1
Obtain A = 2.80 A1
 MARKING SCHEMES 6 TOPIC 3: Logarithms Indices and Linear Law

OR2: Obtain two correct equations in k and A and substituting y– and x2 – values in
2
y = Ae -kx B1
Solve for k M1
Obtain k = 0.42 A1
Solve for A M1
Obtain A = 2.80 A1 [5]
[SR: If unsound substitutions are made, e.g. using x = 0.;64 and y = 0.76, give
B1M0A0M1A0 in the EITHER and OR1 schemes, and B0M1A0M1A0 in the OR2
scheme.]

24 Use law for the logarithm of a product, quotient or power M1

Use ln e = 1 or exp(l) = 3 M1
y +1
Obtain correct equation free of logarithms in any form, e.g. = ex 3 A1
y
Rearrange as y = (ex3 – 1)–1, or equivalent A1 [4]

25 EITHER: State or imply non-modular equation 2 2 3x − 1 = 3 x ( ) ( )

2 2
, or pair of equations
( x
2 3 −1 = ±3 ) x
M1
2
Obtain 3x = 2 and 3 x = (or 3x+1 = 2) A1
3
OR: Obtain 3x = 2 by solving an equation or by inspection B1
2
Obtain 3 x = (or 3x+1 = 2) by solving an equation or by inspection B1
3
Use correct method for solving an equation of the form 3x = a (or 3x+1 = a), where a > 0 M1
Obtain final answers 0.631 and –0.369 A1 [4]

26 Apply at least one logarithm property correctly *M1

Obtain
(x + 4)2 = x + a or equivalent without logarithm involved A1
x
Rearrange to express x in terms of a M1 d*M
16
Obtain or equivalent A1 [4]
a −8

1
27 Remove logarithms and obtain 5 − e − 2 x = e 2 , or equivalent B1
1
Obtain a correct value for e −2x , e 2 x , e − x or e x , e.g. e 2 x = 1/(5 − e ) 2
B1
2x −2 x x −x
Use correct method to solve an equation of the form e = a , e = a , e = a or e =a
where a > 0. [The M1 is dependent on the correct removal of logarithms.] M1
Obtain answer x = −0.605 only. A1 4

28 Use law of the logarithm of a quotient or product or 2 = log10 100 M1

Remove logarithms and obtain x + 9 = 100x, or equivalent A1
Obtain answer x = 111 A1 3
 MARKING SCHEMES 7 TOPIC 3: Logarithms Indices and Linear Law

29 Use law of the logarithm of a power M1

Obtain a correct linear equation in any form, e.g. x = ( x − 2) ln 3 A1
Obtain answer x = 22.281 A1 [3]

30 Use law for the logarithm of a power at least once *M1

Obtain correct linear equation, e.g. 5xIn2 = (2x + 1)In3 A1
Solve a linear equation for x M1 dep *M
Obtain x = 0.866 A1 [4]

31 Use law for the logarithm of a product, quotient or power M1

x+4
Obtain a correct equation free of logarithms, e.g. =4 A1
x2
Solve a 3-term quadratic obtaining at least one root M1
Obtain final answer x = 1.13 only A1 4

32. (i) Coeff of x3 = 6C3 x 23 B1 B1 B1 for 6C3 B1 for 23

=160 B1 B1 for 160
[3]
(ii) Term in x2 = 6C2 x 22 = 60 B1 B1 for 60 (could be given in (i))
reqd coeff = 1 x (i) – 3 x 60 M1 Needs to consider 2 terms
→ –20 A1 co
[3]

33 EITHER State or imply e x + 1 = e 2 x , or 1 + e − x = e x , or equivalent B1

Solve this equation as a quadratic in u = e x , or in e x , obtaining one or two
roots M1
1
( )
Obtain root 2 1 + 5 , or decimal in [1.61, 1.62] A1
Use correct method for finding x from a positive root M1
Obtain x = 0.481 and no other answer A1
[For the solution 0.481 with no working, award B3 (for 0.48 give B2).
However a suitable statement can earn the first B1 in addition, giving a
maximum of 4/5 (or 3/5) in such cases.]
OR
1
( )
State an appropriate iterative formula, e.g. x n +1 = 2 ln 1 + e xn or
1
(
x n +1 = ln e
3
xn
+e 2 xn
) B1
Use the iterative formula correctly at least once M1
Obtain final answer 0.481 A1
Show sufficient iterations to justify its accuracy to 3 d.p., or show there is a
sign change in the value of a relevant function in the interval (0.4805, 0.4815) A1
Show that the equation has no other root A1 [5]
 MARKING SCHEMES 8 TOPIC 3: Logarithms Indices and Linear Law

34 State or imply 1+ u = u 2 B1
Solve for u M1
Obtain root 1 (1 + 5) , or decimal in [1.61, 1.62] A1
2
Use correct method for finding x from a positive root M1
Obtain x = 0.438 and no other answer A1 [5]