402 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16)

EXERCISE 16H.1
1 Expand and simplify:
a 2x (2x + 1) b 3x (1 ¡ 3¡x ) c 2¡x (2x + 3) d 7¡x (73x + 7x )
2 Expand and simplify:
a (3x + 1)(3x + 2) b (2x + 1)(2x + 5) c (5x ¡ 3)(5x ¡ 7)
d (2x + 1)2 e (3x + 2)2 f (4x ¡ 7)2
g (3x + 1)2 h (3x ¡ 8)2 i (5x ¡ 3)2
j (2x + 5)(2x ¡ 5) k (7x + 7¡x )2 l (3 ¡ 2¡x )2

FACTORISATION
We first look for common factors and then for other forms such as perfect squares and the
difference of two squares.

Example 16 Self Tutor

Factorise: a 3n+3 + 3n b 2n+2 + 8 c 53n + 52n

a 3n+3 + 3n b 2n+2 + 8 c 53n + 52n

= 3n 33 + 3n = 2n 22 + 8 = 52n 5n + 52n
= 3n (33 + 1) = 4(2n ) + 8 = 52n (5n + 1)
= 3n £ 28 = 4(2n + 2)

Example 17 Self Tutor

Factorise: a 9x ¡ 4 b 25x + 4(5x ) + 4

a 9x ¡ 4
= (3x )2 ¡ 22 fdifference of two squaresg
= (3x + 2)(3x ¡ 2) fa2 ¡ 22 = (a + 2)(a ¡ 2)g
b 25x + 4(5x ) + 4
= (5x )2 + 4(5x ) + 4 fcompare a2 + 4a + 4g
= (5x + 2)2 fa2 + 4a + 4 = (a + 2)2 g

Example 18 Self Tutor

Factorise: 4x ¡ 9(2x ) + 20

4x ¡ 9(2x ) + 20
= (2x )2 ¡ 9(2x ) + 20 fcompare a2 ¡ 9a + 20g
= (2x ¡ 4)(2x ¡ 5) fa2 ¡ 9a + 20 = (a ¡ 4)(a ¡ 5)g
 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16) 403

Example 19 Self Tutor

2x + 6x 3n+1 ¡ 3n 5n+2 + 5n
Simplify: a b c
2x 3n 13

2x + 6x 3n+1 ¡ 3n 5n+2 + 5n
a b c
2x 3n 13
2 + 2x 3x
x
3n 31 ¡ 3n n 2
5 (5 + 1)
= = =
1
2x 3n 13
1
2x (1 + 3x ) n
3 (3 ¡ 1) 5n £ 26 2
= = =
2x 1 3n1 13 1
= 1 + 3x =2 = 2 £ 5n

Example 20 Self Tutor

Solve for x: 9x = 7(3x ) + 18

9x = 7(3x ) + 18
) (32 )x ¡ 7(3x ) ¡ 18 = 0
) (3x )2 ¡ 7(3x ) ¡ 18 = 0 fcompare a2 ¡ 7a ¡ 18 = 0g
) (3x ¡ 9)(3x + 2) = 0 fa2 ¡ 7a ¡ 18 = (a ¡ 9)(a + 2)g
) 3x = 9 or 3x = ¡2
) x=2 fas 3x cannot be negativeg

EXERCISE 16H.2
1 Factorise:
a 32x + 3x b 2n+2 + 2n c 4n + 43n
d 6n+1 ¡ 6 e 7n+2 ¡ 7 f 3n+2 ¡ 9
g 5(2n ) + 2n+2 h 3n+2 + 3n+1 + 3n i 2n+1 + 3(2n ) + 2n¡1
2 Factorise:
a 4x ¡ 9 b 9x ¡ 25 c 64 ¡ 9x
d 16 ¡ 25x e 4x ¡ 9x f 25x + 6(5x ) + 9
g 4x + 10(2x ) + 25 h 36x ¡ 14(6x ) + 49 i 49x ¡ 4(7x ) + 4
3 Factorise:
a 4x + 8(2x ) + 15 b 4x + 6(2x ) ¡ 7 c 9x ¡ 3(3x ) ¡ 10
d 9x ¡ 6(3x ) + 8 e 25x + 4(5x ) ¡ 12 f 64x + 3(8x ) ¡ 4
4 Simplify:
3n + 6n 4m + 8m 4m + 8m 7b + 21b
a b c d
3n 4m 1 + 2m 7b
4n+2 ¡ 4n 4n+2 ¡ 4n 2m+n ¡ 2n 3n+2 ¡ 3n
e f g h
4n 15 2n 3n+1
404 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16)

2n + 2n+1 3m+1 ¡ 3m¡1 2x+y ¡ 2y 2x+y ¡ 2y

i j k l
2n + 2n¡1 3m + 3m+1 2y 2x ¡ 1
5 Solve for x:
a 9x + 3 = 4(3x ) b 4x ¡ 10(2x ) + 16 = 0 c 4x + 2x = 20
d 9x + 3(3x ) + 2 = 0 e 25x + 4(5x ) = 5 f 25x = 23(5x ) + 50
g 49x + 7 = 8(7x ) h 64x + 8 = 6(8x ) i 81x = 8(9x ) + 9

I LOGARITHMS
In many exponential equations it is not possible to easily make the base numbers on both
sides the same. For example, if 2x = 5 we cannot easily write 5 with a base number of 2.
To overcome this problem, we write both sides with a base of 10, and to do this we use
logarithms.

The logarithm in base 10 of a positive number is its power of 10.

So, any positive number a can be written in base 10 as a = 10log a :

INVESTIGATION 3 LOGARITHMS
The logarithm of any positive number can be evaluated using the log key
on your calculator. You will need to do this to evaluate the logarithms in
this investigation.
What to do:

1 Copy and complete: Number Number as a power of 10 log of number

10
100
1000
100 000 105 log(100 000) = 5
0:1
0:001

2 Copy and complete: Number Number as a power of 10 log of number

p
10
p3
10
p
1000
p1
10

3 Can you draw any conclusion from your table? For example, you may wish to
comment on when a logarithm is positive or negative.
 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16) 405

Example 21 Self Tutor

Write the following numbers as powers of 10:
a 2 b 20

a 2 = 10log 2 b 20 = 10log 20
¼ 100:301 029 995 ¼ 101:301 029 995

In Example 21 above, notice that log 20 = log 2 + 1.

This is because 20 = 2 £ 10 = 10log 2 £ 101 = 101+log 2 .

Example 22 Self Tutor

Solve for x using logarithms, giving answers to 4 significant figures:
a 2x = 100 b (1:12)x = 3

a 2x = 100 b (1:12)x = 3
) (10log 2 )x = 102 ) (10log 1:12 )x = 10log 3
) x £ log 2 = 2 ) x £ log 1:12 = log 3
2 log 3
) x= ) x=
log 2 log 1:12
) x ¼ 6:644 ) x ¼ 9:694
f2 ¥ log 2 ) ENTER g f log 3 ) ¥ log 1:12 ) ENTER g

EXERCISE 16I.1
1 Write the following as powers of 10 using a = 10log a :
a 8 b 80 c 800 d 80 000
e 0:03 f 0:003 g 0:3 h 0:000 003
i 37 j 0:0614 k 26 700 l 0:006 372 1
2 Solve for x using logarithms, giving answers to 4 significant figures:
a 10x = 80 b 10x = 8000 c 10x = 0:025
d 10x = 456:3 e 10x = 0:8764 f 10x = 0:000 179 2
3 Solve for x using logarithms, giving answers to 4 significant figures:
a 2x = 3 b 2x = 10 c 2x = 400
d 2x = 0:0075 e 5x = 1000 f 6x = 0:836
g (1:1)x = 1:86 h (1:25)x = 3 i (0:87)x = 0:001
j (0:7)x = 0:21 k (1:085)x = 2 l (0:997)x = 0:5
4 The weight of bacteria in a culture t hours after it has
been established is given by W = 2:5 £ 20:04t grams.
After what time will the weight reach:
a 4 grams b 15 grams?
406 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16)

5 The population of bees in a hive t hours after it has been discovered is given by
P = 5000 £ 20:09t .
After what time will the population reach:
a 15 000 b 50 000?

LOGARITHM LAWS
The following laws are true for all logarithms:

² log(xy) = log x + log y

µ ¶
x
² log = log x ¡ log y
y
² log(xn ) = n log x

The following are proofs for the logarithm laws in base 10:
Proof: Consider x = 10log x and y = 10log y .
x 10log x
xy = 10log x 10log y = log y xn = (10log x )n
y 10
= 10log x+log y = 10log x¡log y = 10n log x
µ ¶
x
) log(xy) = log x + log y ) log = log x ¡ log y ) log(xn ) = n log x
y
µ ¶ µ ¶
1 1
Notice that log = log x¡1 = ¡1 log x. Hence log = ¡ log x.
x x

Also, since log 1 = log 100 , log 1 = 0.

Example 23 Self Tutor

Write as a single logarithm: a log 2 + log 7 b log 6 ¡ log 3

a log 2 + log 7 b log 6 ¡ log 3

¡ ¢
= log(2 £ 7) = log 63
= log 14 = log 2

Example 24 Self Tutor

log 49 log 72
Simplify, without using a calculator: ¡1¢ =
log 7 log 7¡1
log 49 2 log 7
1
¡ ¢
log 17 = 1
¡1 log 7
= ¡2
 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16) 407

EXERCISE 16I.2
1 Write as a single logarithm in the form log k:
a log 6 + log 5 b log 10 ¡ log 2 c 2 log 2 + log 3
1
d log 5 ¡ 2 log 2 e 2 log 4 ¡ log 2 f log 2 + log 3 + log 5
¡ ¢
g log 20 + log(0:2) h ¡ log 2 ¡ log 3 i 3 log 18
j 4 log 2 + 3 log 5 k 6 log 2 ¡ 3 log 5 l 1 + log 2
m 1 ¡ log 2 n 2 ¡ log 5 o 3 + log 2 + log 7

2 Explain why log 30 = log 3 + 1 and log(0:3) = log 3 ¡ 1

3 Without using a calculator, simplify:

log 8 log 9 log 4 log 5
a b c d ¡ ¢
log 2 log 3 log 8 log 15
log(0:5) log 8 log 2b log 4
e f g h
log 2 log(0:25) log 8 log 2a

4 Without using a calculator, show that:

¡1¢
a log 8 = 3 log 2 b log 32 = 5 log 2 c log 7 = ¡ log 7
¡ ¢ p p
d log 14 = ¡2 log 2 e log 5 = 12 log 5 f log 3 2 = 13 log 2
³ ´
g log p13 = ¡ 12 log 3 h log 5 = 1 ¡ log 2 i log 500 = 3 ¡ log 2

5 74 = 2401 ¼ 2400
3 1
Show that log 7 ¼ 4 log 2 + 4 log 3 + 12 .

LOGARITHMIC EQUATIONS
The logarithm laws can be used to help rearrange equations. They are particularly useful
when dealing with exponential equations.

Example 25 Self Tutor

Write the following as logarithmic equations in base 10:
m
a y = a3 b2 b y=p
n

m
a y = a3 b2 b y=p
n
) log y = log(a3 b2 ) µ ¶
m
) log y = log
) log y = log a3 + log b2 n2
1

1
) log y = 3 log a + 2 log b ) log y = log m ¡ log n 2
1
) log y = log m ¡ 2 log n
408 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16)

Example 26 Self Tutor

Write these equations without logarithms:
a log D = 2x + 1 b log N ¼ 1:301 ¡ 2x

a log D = 2x + 1 b log N ¼ 1:301 ¡ 2x

) D = 102x+1 ) N ¼ 101:301¡2x
or D = (100)x £ 10 101:301 20
) N¼ 2x
¼ 2x
10 10

Example 27 Self Tutor

Write these equations without logarithms:
a log C = log a + 3 log b b log G = 2 log d ¡ 1

a log C = log a + 3 log b b log G = 2 log d ¡ 1

= log a + log b3 = log d2 ¡ log 101
µ 2¶
= log(ab3 ) d
= log
10
) C = ab3
d2
) G=
10

EXERCISE 16I.3
1 Write the following as logarithmic equations in base 10:
a2 p
a y = ab2 b y= c y=d p d M = a2 b5
b
p r
p m d
e P = ab f Q= g R = abc2 h T =5
n c
2 Write these equations without logarithms:
a log Q = x + 2 b log J = 2x ¡ 1 c log M = 2 ¡ x
d log P ¼ 0:301 + x e log R ¼ x + 1:477 f log K = 12 x + 1
3 Write these equations without logarithms:
a log A = log B ¡ 2 log C b 2 log p + log q = log s
c ¡ log d + 3 log m = log n ¡ 2 log p

RESEARCH
Write a one page report on the following topics:
² Who invented logarithms?
² The exponential e.
² Logarithms in bases other than 10, especially in base e.
 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16) 409

LOGARITHMS IN OTHER BASES

, is read
We notice that if 10x = b then x = log10 b or simply log b: ‘if and only if’

In general, ax = b , x = loga b where the logarithm is in base a.

Example 28 Self Tutor

Write an equivalent logarithmic statement for 34 = 81:

34 = 81
) log3 (34 ) = log3 81
) 4 log3 3 = log3 81
) 4 = log3 81 fsince log3 3 = 1g

EXERCISE 16I.4
1 Write an equivalent logarithmic statement for:
1
a 23 = 8 b 32 = 9 c 5¡1 = 5 d 25 = 32
1 1
1 p
e 70 = 1 f 3¡4 = 81 g 2¡6 = 64 h 22 = 2
2 Write an equivalent exponential statement for:
¡1¢
a log10 1000 = 3 b log2 16 = 4 c log3 3 = ¡1
¡1¢ ¡ 1
¢
d log4 1 = 0 e log7 49 = ¡2 f log 1 49 = 2
7

3 Find:
p p
a log3 9 b log2 32 c log2 2 d log4 2
p ¡1¢
e log3 3 3 f log6 1 g log8 8 h log8 8
¡ ¢ ³ ´ ³ ´ ³ ´
i log 1 18 j logp2 p1
2
k log2 p12 l log8 p1
2
8

4 Solve for x:
a log2 x = 2 b log5 x = ¡2 c log2 (x + 2) = 2 d log5 (2x) = ¡1

GRAPHS OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS

Consider x = 2y , y = log2 x. y
!
We know that 2y > 0 for all y, so the domain
y#$#log"#x
of y = log2 x is fx j x > 0, x 2 R g "
We can hence graph this function from a table of x
values using positive x: !! !" " !
!"
1 1 1
x 8 4 2 1 2 4 8
y ¡3 ¡2 ¡1 0 1 2 3 !!
410 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16)

Since y = log2 x , x = 2y , the graph of y

!
y = log2 x is a reflection of the graph of y = 2x
in the line y = x. "
y#$#"x
x
!! !" " !
!"
y#$#log"#x

y#$#x !!
EXERCISE 16I.5
1 On the same set of axes, graph y = 3x and y = log3 x.
¡ ¢x
2 On the same set of axes, graph y = 12 and y = log 1 x:
2
GRAPHING
3 Use graphical means to solve: PACKAGE

a log10 x = x ¡ 1 b log2 x = 2¡x

log10 x
4 a Graph y = log2 x and y = on the same set of axes.
log10 2
b What do you notice from a?
log10 20
c Simplify .
log10 2

EARTHQUAKES
LINKS Areas of interaction:
click here Environments/Human ingenuity

REVIEW SET 16A

1 Simplify:
ab
a 2a4 £ a5 b c (3a2 )3
ax
4n+1
2 Express in simplest form with a prime number base.
22n
3 Simplify, giving answers in simplest rational form:
1
a 30 + 3¡1 b ( 25 )¡2 c 64¡ 3
4 If f (x) = 3x ¡ 1, find the value of:
a f (0) b f(3) c f (¡1) d f (¡2)
5 On the same set of axes, without using technology, draw the graphs of y = 2x
and y = 2x + 2:
a State the y-intercepts and the equations of the horizontal asymptotes.
b Describe the transformation required to draw the graph of y = 2x + 2 from
the graph of y = 2x :
 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16) 411

6 The weight of radioactive substance remaining after t years is given by

W = 1000 £ 2¡0:03t grams. Find:
a the initial weight
b the weight after: i 10 years ii 100 years iii 1000 years.
c Graph W against t using a and b only.
d How long will it take for the weight to reach 50 grams?

7 A bank offers 7:4% compound interest on amounts greater than $100 000 which are
invested for a 5 year period. How much interest would be earned if $120 000 was
invested?
8 A new caravan costing $15 000 depreciates
at a rate of 16% p.a. What will be its value
in 5 years’ time?

9 Solve for x without using a calculator: 27x = 3

10 Expand and simplify:
a 2x (2x ¡ 2¡x ) b (3x + 2)(3x ¡ 1) c (5x ¡ 2)2
11 Fully factorise:
a 5n+2 ¡ 5n b 25 ¡ 16x c 4x ¡ 6(2x ) + 8
12 Solve for x: 9x ¡ 2(3x ) ¡ 3 = 0

13 a Write 50 as a power of 10 using a = 10log a :

b Solve 7x = 2:32 using logarithms, giving your answer to 4 significant
figures.
14 Without using a calculator, simplify the following:
log 16
a log 4 + log 2 b log a2 ¡ log a c
log 2
15 Find x given that log2 (x + 1) = ¡3:

REVIEW SET 16B

1 Simplify:
4x2 y (2a)3
a 3xy2 £ 5x2 y3 b c
8xy 3 ab2
2 Write in simplest form without negative indices:
3x2 y 1
a (5x)¡2 b c 125¡ 3
y ¡4
412 EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND LOGARITHMS (Chapter 16)

3 If P (x) = 2 £ 3¡x , find the value of:

a P (0) b P (1) c P (2) d P (¡1) e P (¡2)
4 On the same set of axes, without using technology, draw the graphs of y = 2x
and y = 3 £ 2x :
a State the y-intercepts and the equations of the horizontal asymptotes.
b Describe the transformation required to draw the graph of y = 3 £ 2x from
the graph of y = 2x :
5 The weight of radioactive substance after t years is given by the formula
W = W0 £ 3¡0:003t grams. Find:
a the initial weight of radioactive substance
b the percentage of the substance remaining after:
i 100 years ii 500 years iii 1000 years.
c Graph W against t using a and b only.
6 Henri and Michaela wish to have 800 000 euros saved in a superannuation fund in
20 years’ time.
a How much do they need to invest now if the fund earns 9:5% p.a.?
b How much interest will be generated in this time?

7 A motor vehicle is purchased for $25 000: What will be its value after a period of 6
years if it depreciates at a rate of 12 12 % p.a.?
8 Find x, without using your calculator: 21¡x = 8
9 Expand and simplify:
a (3x + 1)2 b (5 ¡ 2x )2 c (4x ¡ 2¡x )2
10 Simplify:
3n+1 ¡ 3n 3n+1 ¡ 3n 2n+1 + 2n
a b c
3n 2 2n + 2n¡1
11 Solve for x: 4x ¡ 9(2x ) + 8 = 0
12 Solve using logarithms, giving your answer to 4 significant figures: (0:2)x = 1:8
13 Without using a calculator, simplify the following:
1 log 4
a log 8 ¡ log 2 b 3 log 27 c p
log 2
log 3
14 If 2a = 3a+1 , show that a = .
log( 23 )