[Solutions for FA1 Non-Weighted]

1 (a) Express ln 72e in the form Aln 2 + Bln 3 + C, where A, B and C are constants to
be determined. [2]
(b) Without using a calculator, solve the equation
 y+4
2 log 2 y − log 2   = 3. [5]
 4 
1
(a) 1
ln 72e = ln ( 72e ) 2 = ln 9 + ln 8 + ln e
2
1 3 1
=  2ln 3 + 3ln 2 + 1 = ln 2 + ln 3 +
2 2 2
3 1
So, A = , B = 1, C =
2 2
(b)  
 y+4  y + 4   y 2

2 log 2 y − log 2   = 3  log 2 y − log 2 
2
 = 3  log 2  y + 4  = 3
 4   4   
 4 
4 y2
= 23 = 8
y+4

y 2 = 2( y + 4)
y2 − 2 y − 8 = 0
( y + 2)( y − 4) = 0
y = −2 (rej since y  0) or y = 4
2 A microbiologist measures the population of a certain type of bacteria. He starts the
experiment at time t = 0. After t hours, the population, n, is given by the formula:

(
n = A 1 − e − Bt )
where A and B are positive constants.
When t = 2, n = 8000 and when t = 4, n = 12000.
(i) Show that 2e−4 B − 3e−2 B + 1 = 0. [3]
(ii) Use the substitution y = e−2 B to solve the equation in part (i) and hence find the
value of B in the form k ln 2 , where k is a constant. [3]
(iii) Determine the population size in the long run. [2]

(i) t = 2, n = 8000
( )
8000 = A 1 − e −2 B − − − − (1)
t = 4, n = 12000
(
12000 = A 1 − e−4 B − − − ( 2 ) )
( 2 )  12 = 3 = 1 − e−4 B
(1) 8 2 1 − e−2 B
2 − 2e −4 B = 3 − 3e −2 B
2e −4 B − 3e −2 B + 1 = 0 − − − ( 3)

( ) − 3e−2 B + 1 = 0 − − − ( 4 )
(ii) 2
2 e−2 B
y = e−2 B , equation (4) 
2 y2 − 3y +1 = 0

( 2 y − 1)( y − 1) = 0
1
y= or y = 1
2
e −2 B = 1  B = 0 (reject since B  0)
1 1
e −2 B =  B = ln2
2 2
(iii) ( )
8000 = A 1 − e −2 B − − − − (1)
−2 B 1
From (iii), e = .
2
  1
8000 = A 1 − 
 2
Solving, A = 16000

(
 n = 16000 1 − e −0.347t )
t →  , n → 16000
The population size in the long run is 16000.

3 The equation of a curve C is y = ea (1− x ) + b , where a and b are constants.

2 
It is given that C passes through the point  , e + 2  and its horizontal asymptote has
3 
equation y = 2.

(i) Find the values of a and b. [2]

(ii) Sketch C, showing clearly all the asymptote(s) and the exact coordinates of the
point(s) of intersection with the axes [3]
(iii) Using the values of a and b found in (i), and sketching a suitable graph on the same
3
diagram, find the solution(s) of the equation ea(1− x ) = 2 + . [5]
1− x
(i) Since C has horizontal asymptote at 𝑦 = 2 , ∴ 𝑏 = 2

2
Since C passes through (3 , e + 2),

2
e + 2 = e𝑎(1−3) + 2
1
⇒ e = e3 𝑎

1
⇒ 3𝑎 = 1

∴𝑎=3
(ii)

3 3
For ea(1− x ) = 2 +  e ( ) +2 = 4+
a 1− x

1− x 1− x

we want to find the x-coordinates of the intersections of y = e3(1− x ) + 2 and

3
y = 4+ .
1− x
From GC, x = 0.365 or x = 2.51 (3 s.f.)

3
Sketch of y = 4 +
1− x