INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

Mathematics: analysis and approaches

MAA SL

EXERCISES MAA SL 2.8-2.10

EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

Compiled by Christos Nikolaidis

EXPONENTS – LOGARITHMS – FUNCTIONS

A. Practice questions

1. [Maximum mark: 7] [without GDC]

Solve the equations
(a) 2 2 x  81 x [2]
1 x
(b) 4 2x
8 [2]
2
3
(c) 2x  16 x [3]

2. [Maximum mark: 12] [without GDC]

Solve the equations
1
(a) 25 x 1  x (b) 25 x 1  5 x [3+3]
5
2 2
5 x
(c) 25 x  125 x (d) 7x 1 [3+3]

3. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Let f ( x )  e  2 . The points A(1,e+2) and B(2,b) of the graph are shown in the
x

diagram below.

(a) Write down the value of b . [1]

(b) On the diagram above, sketch the graph of f . Indicate the y -intercept and the
horizontal asymptote of the graph. [3]
(c) Write down the domain and the range of f . [2]
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 MAA SL 2.8-2.10 EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

4. [Maximum mark: 4] [without GDC]

Sketch the graph of the function f ( x )  2 x  2 . Indicate the y -intercept, the horizontal
asymptote and the points A(1, a ), B(2, b ) and C(3, c ) of the graph.

5. [Maximum mark: 12] [without GDC]

For each of the following functions sketch the graph and complete the table
(a) f ( x )  2e x  3 (the point A lies on the curve).

y - intercept:

horizontal asymptote: value of b :

Domain: Range:
[6]

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 MAA SL 2.8-2.10 EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

(b) f ( x )  2e x  3 (the point A lies on the curve).

y - intercept: x - intercept:

horizontal asymptote: value of b :

Domain: Range:
[6]

6. [Maximum mark: 12] [without GDC]

Write down the following values

log 2 16  log 3 9  log 3 27 

log 5 1  log 5 5  log 5 25 

log 1  log 10  log 10000 

1
log 3  log 3 3  log 0.1 
3

7. [Maximum mark: 7] [without GDC]

(a) Find the value of x in the following equations
(i) x  log 2 8 (ii) log 2 x  3 (iii) log x 8  3 [3]

(b) Find the value of x in the following equations

(i) x  log 100 (ii) log x  2 (iii) x  ln e 4 (iv) ln x  4 [4]

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 MAA SL 2.8-2.10 EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

8. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Solve the following equations
(i) log 3 ( x  1)  2 (ii) log( x  1)  2 (iii) ln( x  1)  2

9. [Maximum mark: 8] [without GDC]

Find the following integers
log 3 3 5 ................................................. log 10 5 .................................................

3 log 3 5 ................................................. 10 log 5 .................................................

3 2 log 3 5 ................................................. 10 2 log 5 .................................................
3 3 log 3 5 ................................................. 10 3 log 5 .................................................

ln e 5 ................................................. log a a 5 .................................................

e ln 5 ................................................. a log a 5 .................................................

e 2 ln 5 ................................................. a 2 log a 5 .................................................
e 3 ln 5 ................................................. a 3 log a 5 .................................................

10. [Maximum mark: 12] [without GDC]

Confirm the following properties for x  8 and y  4

LHS =
log 2 xy  log 2 x  log 2 y
RHS =

x LHS =
log 2  log 2 x  log 2 y
y
RHS =

LHS =
log 2 x 2  2 log 2 x
RHS =

LHS =
log 2 y 3  3 log 2 y
RHS =

log 2 16 LHS =
log y 16 
log 2 y RHS =

ln x LHS =
log 2 x 
ln 2 RHS =

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11. [Maximum mark: 12] [without GDC]

Let log 5 x  a , log 5 y  b and log 5 z  c . Express the following in terms of a, b, c .

log 5 xy
x
log 5
y

log 5 x 3

log 5 x
xy
log 5
z
xy
log 5
5z
1
log 5
z
x2 y7
log 5
z
log 25 x

log x 5

log x y

log z xy

12. [Maximum mark: 9] [without GDC]

Solve the equations
(a) log 2 x  log 2 ( x  1)  log 2 6 [3]

(b) log 2 x  log 2 ( x  1)  1 [3]

(c) log 2 ( x  5)  log 2 x  1 [3]

13. [Maximum mark: 10] [without GDC]

Solve the equations
(a) log 2 ( x  14)  2 log 2 x  2 [4]

(b) log 4 ( x  14)  log 2 x  1 by using change of base on log 4 ( x  14) [3]

(c) log 2 ( x  14)  2  log 2

x by using change of base on log 2
x [3]

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 MAA SL 2.8-2.10 EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

14. [Maximum mark: 9] [without GDC]

Solve the following equations by using the natural logarithm ln( ).
(a) 2 x3  5 [2]
(b) 2 x3  5 x [3]
(c) e x 3  5 [2]
(d) 2e x  3  5 [2]

15. [Maximum mark: 10] [without GDC]

(a) Solve the quadratic equation y 2  2 y  1  0 [2]
(b) Hence solve the following equations
1
(i) 2 x  2 by letting y  2 x
2x
1
(ii) e x  2 by letting y  e x
ex
(iii) 4 x  2( 2 x )  1  0 by using an appropriate substitution.

(iv) e 2 x  2e x  1  0 by using an appropriate substitution. [8]

16. [Maximum mark: 7] [without GDC]

Solve the following equations
(a) (ln x ) 2  ln x 2  1  0 by letting y  ln x [3]
1
(b) ln x  2 by using an appropriate substitution. [2]
ln x
1
(c) log x  2 by using an appropriate substitution. [2]
log x

B. Past paper questions (SHORT)

17. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Find the exact solution of the equation 9 2 x  27 (1 x ) .

18. [Maximum mark: 4] [without GDC]

2x
x 1 1
Solve the equation 9  
3

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19. [Maximum mark: 5] [without GDC]

(a) Find log 2 32 . [1]

 32 x 
(b) Given that log 2  y  can be written as px  qy , find the value of p and of q . [4]
 8 

20. [Maximum mark: 4] [without GDC]

2
 P 
Let log 10 P  x , log 10 Q  y and log 10 R  z . Express log10   in terms of x, y and z .
3 
 QR 

21. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

 x2 y 
Let a  log x , b  log y , and c  log z . Write log  3  in terms of a, b and c .
 z 
 

22. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

 x 
Let p  log10 x , q  log10 y and r  log 10 z . Write log10  2  in terms of p, q and r .
y z
 

23. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Let ln a  p , ln b  q . Write the following expressions in terms of p and q .

 a
(a) ln a 3b (b) ln  

[3+3]
 b 

24. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Given that p  log a 5 , q  log a 2 , express the following in terms of p and/or q .

(a) log a 10 (b) log a 8 (c) log a 2.5 [2+2+2]

25. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

(a) Let log c 3  p and log c 5  q . Find an expression in terms of p and q for

(i) log c 15 ; (ii) log c 25 . [4]

1
(b) Find the value of d if log d 6  . [2]
2

26. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Given that log 5 x  y , express each of the following in terms of y .

1
(a) log 5 x 2 (b) log 5   (c) log 25 x [2+2+2]
x

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 MAA SL 2.8-2.10 EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

27. [Maximum mark: 4] [without GDC]

If log a 2  x and log a 5  y , find in terms of x and y , expressions for

(a) log 2 5 ; (b) log a 20 . [2+2]

28. [Maximum mark: 4] [without GDC]

1
Solve the equation log9 81 + log9 + log9 3 = log9 x.
9

29. [Maximum mark: 7] [without GDC]

Solve log 2 x  log 2 ( x  2)  3 , for x  2

30. [Maximum mark: 6] [with GDC]

Solve the equation log 27 x  1  log 27 ( x  0.4) .

31. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

(a) Given that log3 x  log3 ( x  5)  log3 A , express A in terms of x . [2]

(b) Hence or otherwise, solve the equation log3 x  log3 ( x  5)  1 . [4]

32. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Find the exact value of x in each of the following equations.

(a) 5 x1  625 (b) log a (3 x  5)  2 [3+3]

33. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Solve the following equations.
(a) ln( x  2)  3 . (b) 102 x  500 . [3+3]

34. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Let f ( x )  e .
x

(a) Find an expression for A( x )  9 f ( x )  f (3 x )  f ( x ) 2 [2]

(b) Find the value of x for which A( x )  0 . Express your answer in the form a ln b ,

where a, b  . [4]

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35. [Maximum mark: 4] [without GDC]

The diagram shows three graphs.
B
y
A

A is part of the graph of y  x , B of the graph of y  2 x , C is the reflection of graph

B in line A . Write down:
(a) the equation of C in the form y = f (x). [2]
(b) the coordinates of the point where C cuts the x -axis. [2]

36. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

Let f ( x)  log a x , x  0 .

(a) Write down the value of (i) f (a ) (ii) f (1) (iii) f ( a 4 ) [3]

(b) The diagram below shows part of the graph of f .

On the same diagram, sketch the graph of f 1 .

1
f

–2 –1 0 1 2 x

–1

–2

[3]

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 MAA SL 2.8-2.10 EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

37. [Maximum mark: 7] [without GDC]

Let f ( x)  k log 2 x .

(a) Given that f 1 (1)  8 , find the value of k . [3]

2
(b) Find f 1   . [4]
3

38. [Maximum mark: 7] [without GDC]

Let f ( x)  3ln x and g ( x)  ln 5 x 3 .
+
(a) Express g ( x) in the form f ( x)  ln a , where a  . [4]

(b) The graph of g is a transformation of the graph of f . Give a full geometric

description of this transformation. [3]

39. [Maximum mark: 7] [without GDC]

Let f ( x)  log 3 x , for x  0 .

(a) Show that f 1 ( x)  32 x . [2]

(b) Write down the range of f 1 . [1]

Let f ( x)  log 3 x , for x  0 .

(c) Find the value of f 1

g  (2) , giving your answer as an integer. [4]

40. [Maximum mark: 6] [with GDC]

Let f ( x)  ln( x  2) , x  2 and g ( x)  e( x  4) g (x) = e(x−4), x  0 .

(a) Write down the x-intercept of the graph of f . [1]

(b) (i) Write down f ( 1.999) .

(ii) Write down g (4) [3]

(c) Find the coordinates of the point of intersection of the graphs of f and g . [2]

41. [Maximum mark: 6] [without GDC]

The functions f ( x) and g ( x) are defined by f ( x)  e x and g ( x)  ln(1  2 x)

(a) Write down f 1 ( x ) . [1]

 f
g  ( x)  f
g
1
(b) (i) Find (ii) Find ( x) [5]

Extra question
Find  g
f  ( x) and g 1 ( x ) [4]

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 MAA SL 2.8-2.10 EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

PROBLEMS OF EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

B. Past paper questions (SHORT)

42. [Maximum mark: 4] [with GDC]

A group of ten leopards is introduced into a game park. After t years the number of

leopards, N , is modelled by N  10e0.4 t .

(a) How many leopards are there after 2 years? [2]
(b) How long will it take for the number of leopards to reach 100? [2]
Give your answers to an appropriate degree of accuracy.

Extra questions
 Find the initial number of leopards [1]
 How long will it take for the number of leopards to double? [2]

43. [Maximum mark: 6] [with GDC]

The mass m kg of a radio-active substance at time t hours is given by m  4e 0.2t .
(a) Write down the initial mass. [2]
(b) The mass is reduced to 1.5 kg. How long does this take? [4]

Extra question
Find the half-life time of m . [3]

44. [Maximum mark: 6] [with / without GDC]

The population p of bacteria at time t is given by p  100e0.05t . Calculate

(a) the value of p when t  0 ; [2]

(b) How long will it take for the size of the population to double? [4]

45. [Maximum mark: 6] [with GDC]

A machine was purchased for $10000. Its value V after t years is given by

V  10000e 0.3t . The machine must be replaced at the end of the year in which its value
drops below $1500. Determine in how many years the machine will need to be
replaced.

46. [Maximum mark: 6] [with GDC]

The area A km2 affected by a forest fire at time t hours is given by A  A0 e kt .
1
When t  5 , the area affected is 1 km2. Given that A0  ,
e
(a) Show that k  0.2 ; [3]
2
(b) Find the value of t when 100 km are affected. [3]

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 MAA SL 2.8-2.10 EXPONENTS AND LOGARITHMS

47. [Maximum mark: 6] [with GDC]

The population of a city at the end of 1972 was 250 000. The population increases by
1.3% per year.
(a) Write down the population at the end of 1973. [1]
(b) Find the population at the end of 2002. [5]

Extra question:
How long will it take for the size of the population to exceed 400 000? [3]

48. [Maximum mark: 4] [with GDC]

A population of bacteria is growing at the rate of 2.3% per minute. How long will it take
for the size of the population to double? Give your answer to the nearest minute.

49. [Maximum mark: 4] [with GDC]

Each year for the past five years the population of a certain country has increased at a
steady rate of 2.7% per annum. The present population is 15.2 million.

(a) What was the population one year ago? [2]

(b) What was the population five years ago? [2]

50. [Maximum mark: 6] [with GDC]

$1000 is invested at 15% per annum interest, compounded monthly. Calculate the
minimum number of months required for the value of the investment to exceed $3000.

C. Past paper questions (LONG)

51. [Maximum mark: 13] [without GDC]

Solve the following equations.
(a) log x 49  2 . [3]

(b) log 2 8  x [2]

1
(c) log 25 x   [3]
2
(d) log 2 x  log 2 ( x  7)  3 [5]

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52. [Maximum mark: 10] [with GDC]

Michele invested 1500 francs at an annual rate of interest of 5.25 percent,
compounded annually.
(a) Find the value of Michele’s investment after 3 years (to the nearest franc) [3]
(b) How many complete years will it take for Michele’s initial investment to double? [3]
(c) What should the interest rate be if Michele’s initial investment were to double in
value in 10 years? [4]

53. [Maximum mark: 16] [without GDC]

x
Let f ( x)  log 3  log 3 16  log 3 4 , for x  0 .
2
(a) Show that f ( x)  log 3 2 x . [2]

(b) Find the value of f (0.5) and of f (4.5) . [3]

ln ax
The function f can also be written in the form f ( x)  .
ln b
(c) (i) Write down the value of a and of b .
(ii) Hence on graph paper, sketch the graph of f , for –5 ≤ x ≤ 5, –5 ≤ y ≤ 5.

(iii) Write down the equation of the asymptote. [6]

(d) Write down the value of f 1 (0) [1]

The point A lies on the graph of f . At A, x  4.5 .

(e) On your diagram, sketch the graph of f 1 , noting clearly the image of point A. [4]

54. [Maximum mark: 15] [with GDC]

There were 1420 doctors working in a city on 1 January 1994. After n years the
number of doctors, D , working in the city is given by D  1420  100n .
(a) (i) How many doctors were there working in the city at the start of 2004?
(ii) In what year were there first more than 2000 doctors working in the city? [3]

At the beginning of 1994 the city had a population of 1.2 million. After n years, the

population, P , of the city is given by P  1 200 000 1.025  .

n

(b) (i) Find the population P at the beginning of 2004.

(ii) Calculate the percentage growth in population between 1 January 1994 and
1 January 2004.
(iii) In what year will the population first become greater than 2 million? [7]

(c) (i) What was the average number of people per doctor at the beginning of
1994?
(ii) After how many complete years will the number of people per doctor first
fall below 600? [5]

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55. [Maximum mark: 17] [with GDC]

A city is concerned about pollution, and decides to look at the number of people using
taxis. At the end of the year 2000, there were 280 taxis in the city. After n years the
number of taxis, T , in the city is given by
T  280 1.12n .
(a) (i) Find the number of taxis in the city at the end of 2005.
(ii) Find the year in which the number of taxis is double the number of taxis
there were at the end of 2000. [6]
(b) At the end of 2000 there were 25 600 people in the city who used taxis. After n
years the number of people, P , in the city who used taxis is given by
2 560 000
P .
10  90e – 0.1n
(i) Find the value of P at the end of 2005, giving your answer to the nearest
whole number.
(ii) After seven complete years, will the value of P be double its value at the end
of 2000? Justify your answer. [6]
(c) Let R be the ratio of the number of people using taxis in the city to the number of
taxis. The city will reduce the number of taxis if R  70 .
(i) Find the value of R at the end of 2000.
(ii) After how many complete years will the city first reduce the number of taxis? [5]

56. [Maximum mark: 10] [with GDC]

Initially a tank contains 10 000 litres of liquid. At the time t  0 minutes a tap is opened,
and liquid then flows out of the tank. The volume of liquid, V litres, which remains in the
tank after t minutes is given by

V  10 000(0.933t ) .
(a) Find the value of V after 5 minutes. [1]
(b) Find how long, to the nearest second, it takes for half of the initial amount of liquid
to flow out of the tank. [3]
(c) The tank is regarded as effectively empty when 95% of the liquid has flowed out.
Show that it takes almost three-quarters of an hour for this to happen. [3]
(d) (i) Find the value of 10 000  V when t  0.001 minutes.
(ii) Hence or otherwise, estimate the initial flow rate of the liquid.
Give your answer in litres per minute, correct to two significant figures. [3]

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