Date | May 2016 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 16M.1.hl.TZ1.6 |
Level | HL only | Paper | 1 | Time zone | TZ1 |
Command term | Find | Question number | 6 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Find integer values of m and n for which
m−nlog32=10log96
Markscheme
METHOD 1
m−nlog32=10log96
m−nlog32=5log36 M1
m=log3(652n) (M1)
3m2−n=65=35×25 (M1)
m=5, n=−5 A1
Note: First M1 is for any correct change of base, second M1 for writing as a single logarithm, third M1 is for writing 6 as 2×3.
METHOD 2
m−nlog32=10log96
m−nlog32=5log36 M1
m−nlog32=5log33+5log32 (M1)
m−nlog32=5+5log32 (M1)
m=5, n=−5 A1
Note: First M1 is for any correct change of base, second M1 for writing 6 as 2×3 and third M1 is for forming an expression without log33.
[4 marks]
Examiners report
The first stage on this question was to change base, so each logarithm was written in the same base. Some candidates chose to move to base 10 or base e, rather than the more obvious base 3, but a few still successfully reached the correct answer having done this. A large majority though did not seem to know how to change the base of a logarithm.
Simplifying the expression further was a struggle for many candidates.