logarithms and SEQUENCES [52 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 5] 22N.2.SL.TZ0.4

geometric sequence has a first term of 50 and a fourth term of 86. 4.

The sum of the first n terms of the sequence is S n .

Find the smallest value of n such that S n > 33 500. [5]

Markscheme

86. 4 = 50r
3
(A1)

86.4
seen anywhere (A1)
3
r = 1. 2(= √ )
50

n
50(1.2 −1)

0.2
> 33500 OR 250(1. 2
n
− 1) = 33500 (A1)

attempt to solve their geometric S n inequality or equation (M1)

sketch OR n > 26. 9045, n = 26. 9 OR S 26 = 28368. 8 OR

S 27 = 34092. 6 OR algebraic manipulation involving logarithms

n = 27 accept n ≥ 27 A1

[5 marks]
2. [Maximum mark: 5] 22M.1.SL.TZ2.2
The nth term of an arithmetic sequence is given by u n = 15 − 3n.

(a) State the value of the first term, u 1 . [1]

Markscheme

u 1 = 12 A1

[1 mark]

(b) Given that the nth term of this sequence is −33, find the value
of n. [2]

Markscheme

15 − 3n = −33 (A1)

n = 16 A1

[2 marks]

(c) Find the common difference, d. [2]

Markscheme

valid approach to find d (M1)

u 2 − u 1 = 9 − 12 OR recognize gradient is −3 OR attempts to solve

−33 = 12 + 15d

d = −3 A1
[2 marks]
3. [Maximum mark: 6] 22M.2.SL.TZ2.3
Gemma and Kaia started working for different companies on January 1st 2011.

Gemma’s starting annual salary was $45 000, and her annual salary increases
2% on January 1st each year after 2011.

(a) Find Gemma’s annual salary for the year 2021, to the nearest
dollar. [3]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

using geometric sequence with r = 1. 02 (M1)

correct expression or listing terms correctly (A1)

10 11−1
45000 × 1. 02 OR 45000 × 1. 02 OR listing terms

Gemma’s salary is $54855 (must be to the nearest dollar) A1

METHOD 2

N = 10

PV = ∓45000

I% = 2

P/Y = 1

C/Y = 1

F V = ±54854. 7489 … (M1)(A1)

Gemma’s salary is $54855 (must be to the nearest dollar) A1

 [3 marks]

Kaia’s annual salary is based on a yearly performance review. Her salary for the
years 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2022 is shown in the following table.

(b) Assuming Kaia’s annual salary can be approximately modelled

by the equation S = ax + b, show that Kaia had a higher
salary than Gemma in the year 2021, according to the model. [3]

Markscheme

finds a = 1096. 89 … and b = −2160753. 8 … (accept

6
b = −2. 16 × 10 ) (A1)(A1)

Note: Award (A1)(A1) for S = 1096. 89 … x + 33028. 49 …, or

S = 1096. 89 … x + 43997. 4 …, or

S = 1096. 89 … x + 45094. 3 …

Kaia’s salary in 2021 is $56063. 21 (accept $56817. 09 from

6
b = −2. 16 × 10 ) A1

Kaia had a higher salary than Gemma in 2021 AG

[3 marks]
4. [Maximum mark: 9] 21N.2.SL.TZ0.6
The sum of the first n terms of a geometric sequence is given by
n
r
2 7
Sn = Σ
3
(
8
) .
r=1

(a) Find the first term of the sequence, u 1 . [2]

Markscheme

2 7
u1 = S1 =
3
×
8
(M1)

14 7
=
24
(=
12
= 0. 583333 …) A1

[2 marks]

(b) Find S ∞ . [3]

Markscheme

7
r =
8
(= 0. 875) (A1)
u1
substituting their values for u 1 and r into S ∞ =
1−r
(M1)

=
14

3
(= 4. 66666 …) A1

[3 marks]

(c) Find the least value of n such that S ∞ − S n < 0. 001. [4]

Markscheme

attempt to substitute their values into the inequality or formula for S n

(M1)
 n 7 7 n
r (1−( ) )
14 2 7

3
− Σ
3
(
8
) < 0. 001 OR Sn =
12

7
8

r=1 (1− )
8

attempt to solve their inequality using a table, graph or logarithms

(must be exponential) (M1)

Note: Award (M0) if the candidate attempts to solve S ∞ − u n < 0. 001.

correct critical value or at least one correct crossover value (A1)

63. 2675 … OR S ∞ − S 63 = 0. 001036 … OR

S ∞ − S 64 = 0. 000906 …

OR S ∞ − S 63 − 0. 001 = 0. 0000363683 … OR
S ∞ − S 64 − 0. 001 = 0. 0000931777 …

least value is n = 64 A1

[4 marks]
5. [Maximum mark: 5] 21M.1.SL.TZ1.3
Consider an arithmetic sequence where u 8 = S 8 = 8. Find the
value of the first term, u 1 , and the value of the common difference, d. [5]

Markscheme

METHOD 1 (finding u 1 first, from S 8 )

4(u 1 + 8) = 8 (A1)

u 1 = −6 A1

u 1 + 7d = 8 OR 4(2u 1 + 7d) = 8 (may be seen with their value of

u1 ) (A1)

attempt to substitute their u 1 (M1)

d = 2 A1

METHOD 2 (solving simultaneously)

u 1 + 7d = 8 (A1)

4(u 1 + 8) = 8 OR 4(2u 1 + 7d) = 8 OR u 1 = −3d (A1)

attempt to solve linear or simultaneous equations (M1)

u 1 = −6, d = 2 A1A1

[5 marks]
6. [Maximum mark: 5] 21M.2.SL.TZ2.3
An arithmetic sequence has first term 60 and common difference −2. 5.

(a) Given that the kth term of the sequence is zero, find the value
of k. [2]

Markscheme

attempt to use u 1 + (n − 1)d = 0 (M1)

60 − 2. 5(k − 1) = 0

k = 25 A1

[2 marks]

(b) Let S n denote the sum of the first n terms of the sequence.

Find the maximum value of S n . [3]

Markscheme

METHOD 1

attempting to express S n in terms of n (M1)

use of a graph or a table to attempt to find the maximum sum (M1)

= 750 A1

METHOD 2

EITHER
recognizing maximum occurs at n = 25 (M1)

S 25 =
25

2
(60 + 0), S 25 =
25

2
(2 × 60 + 24 × −2. 5) (A1)

OR

attempting to calculate S 24 (M1)

S 24 =
24

2
(2 × 60 + 23 × −2. 5) (A1)

THEN

= 750 A1

[3 marks]
7. [Maximum mark: 5] 17N.1.AHL.TZ0.H_1
Solve the equation log 2 (x + 3) + log 2 (x − 3) = 4. [5]

Markscheme

* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain
minor differences in marking or structure.

log 2 (x + 3) + log 2 (x − 3) = 4

log 2 (x
2
− 9) = 4 (M1)

M1A1
2 4
x − 9 = 2 (= 16)

2
x = 25

x = ±5 (A1)

x = 5 A1

[5 marks]
8. [Maximum mark: 7] 19M.1.AHL.TZ2.H_7
Solve the simultaneous equations

log 2 6x = 1 + 2 log 2 y

1 + log 6 x = log 6 (15y − 25). [7]

Markscheme

* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain
minor differences in marking or structure.

use of at least one “log rule” applied correctly for the first equation M1

log 2 6x = log 2 2 + 2 log 2 y

2
= log 2 2 + log 2 y

2
= log 2 (2y )

⇒ 6x = 2y
2
A1

use of at least one “log rule” applied correctly for the second equation M1

log 6 (15y − 25) = 1 + log 6 x

= log 6 6 + log 6 x

= log 6 6x

⇒ 15y − 25 = 6x A1

attempt to eliminate x (or y) from their two equations M1

2
2y = 15y − 25

2
2y − 15y + 25 = 0

(2y − 5) (y − 5) = 0

x =
25

12
, y =
5

2
, A1
or x =
25

3
, y = 5 A1

Note: x, y values do not have to be “paired” to gain either of the final two A
marks.

[7 marks]
9. [Maximum mark: 5] EXN.1.SL.TZ0.2
Solve the equation 2 ln x = ln 9 + 4. Give your answer in the
form x = pe
q
where p, q ∈ Z
+
. [5]

Markscheme

* This sample question was produced by experienced DP mathematics

senior examiners to aid teachers in preparing for external assessment in the
new MAA course. There may be minor differences in formatting compared
to formal exam papers.

METHOD 1

2 ln x − ln 9 = 4

uses m ln x = ln x
m
(M1)

2
ln x − ln 9 = 4

uses ln a − ln b = ln
a

b
(M1)
2
x
ln = 4
9

A1
x 4
= e
9

x
2
= 9e
4
⇒ x = √ 9e
4
(x > 0) A1

x = 3e
2
(p = 3, q = 2) A1

METHOD 2

expresses 4 as 4 ln e and uses ln x

m
= m ln x (M1)

2 ln x = 2 ln 3 + 4 ln e (ln x = ln 3 + 2 ln e) A1
uses 2 ln e = ln e
2
and ln a + ln b = ln ab (M1)

ln x = ln (3e )
2
A1

x = 3e
2
(p = 3, q = 2) A1

METHOD 3

expresses 4 as 4 ln e and uses m ln x = ln x

m
(M1)

ln x
2
= ln 3
2
+ ln e
4
A1

uses ln a + ln b = ln ab (M1)

2 2 4
ln x = ln (3 e )

x
2
= 3
2
e
4 2
⇒ x = √3 e
4
(x > 0) A1

so x = 3e
2
(x > 0) (p = 3, q = 2) A1

[5 marks]

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