_______________________

Name:
_
F3 Definition of a logarithm
_______________________
Class:
_

_______________________
Date:
_

Time: 105 minutes

Marks: 88 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 22
Q1.
On 1 January 1900, a sculpture was valued at £80.

When the sculpture was sold on 1 January 1956, its value was £5000.

The value, £V, of the sculpture is modelled by the formula V = A kt, where t is the time in
years since 1 January 1900 and A and k are constants.

(a) Write down the value of A.

(1)

(b) Show that k ≈ 1.07664.

(3)

(c) Use this model to:

(i) show that the value of the sculpture on 1 January 2006 will be greater than
£200 000;
(2)

(ii) find the year in which the value of the sculpture will first exceed £800 000.
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q2.
(a) Given that

logax = 2 1oga 6 – loga3

show that x = 12.

(3)

(b) Given that

logay + loga5 = 7

express y in terms of a, giving your answer in a form not involving logarithms.

(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q3.
The diagram shows a sketch of the curve with equation y = 27 – 3x.

Page 2 of 22
 The curve y = 27 – 3x intersects the y-axis at the point A and the x-axis at the point B.

(a) (i) Find the y-coordinate of point A .

(2)

(ii) Verify that the x-coordinate of point B is 3.

(1)

(b) The region, R, bounded by the curve y = 27 – 3x and the coordinate axes is
shaded. Use the trapezium rule with four ordinates (three strips) to find an
approximate value for the area of R.
(4)

(c) (i) Use logarithms to solve the equation 3x = 13, giving your answer to four
decimal places.
(3)

(ii) The line y = k intersects the curve y = 27 – 3x at the point where 3x = 13.

Find the value of k.

(1)

(d) (i) Describe the single geometrical transformation by which the curve with
equation y = – 3x can be obtained from the curve y = 27 – 3x.
(2)

(ii) Sketch the curve y = – 3x.

(2)
(Total 15 marks)

Q4.

Page 3 of 22
 (a) A curve has equation y = e2x – 10ex + 12x.

(i) Find .
(2)

(ii) Find .
(1)

(b) The points P and Q are the stationary points of the curve.

(i) Show that the x-coordinates of P and Q are given by the solutions of the
equation

e2x – 5ex + 6 = 0
(1)

(ii) By using the substitution z = ex, or otherwise, show that the x-coordinates of P
and Q are ln 2 and ln 3.
(3)

(iii) Find the y-coordinates of P and Q, giving each of your answers in the form
m + 12 ln n, where m and n are integers.
(3)

(iv) Using the answer to part (a)(ii), determine the nature of each stationary point.
(3)
(Total 13 marks)

Q5.
A function f is defined by f(x) = 2e3x – 1 for all real values of x .

(a) Find the range of f.

(2)

(b) Show that f–1 (x) = 1n .

(3)

(c) Find the gradient of the curve y = f–1(x) when x = 0.

(4)
(Total 9 marks)

Q6.
A disease is spreading through a colony of rabbits. There are 5000 rabbits in the colony.
At time t hours, x is the number of rabbits infected. The rate of increase of the number of
rabbits infected is proportional to the product of the number of rabbits infected and the
number not yet infected.

Page 4 of 22
 (a) (i) Formulate a differential equation for in terms of the variables x and t and
a constant of proportionality k.
(2)

(ii) Initially, 1000 rabbits are infected and the disease is spreading at a rate of
200 rabbits per hour. Find the value of the constant k.

(You are not required to solve your differential equation.)

(2)

(b) The solution of the differential equation in this model is

t = 4 1n
(i) Find the time after which 2500 rabbits will be infected, giving your answer
in hours to one decimal place.
(2)

(ii) Find, according to this model, the number of rabbits infected after 30 hours.
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

Q7.
(a) Given that

logax = 3 loga6 – loga8

where a is a positive constant, show that x = 27.

(3)

(b) Write down the value of:

(i) log4 1;
(1)

(ii) log4 4;
(1)

(iii) log4 2;
(1)

(iv) log4 8.
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

Q8.
The diagram shows a sketch of the curve with equation y = 3x + 1.

Page 5 of 22
 The curve intersects the y-axis at the point A.

(a) Write down the y-coordinate of point .

(1)

(b) (i) Use the trapezium rule with five ordinates (four strips) to find an approximation
for

, giving your answer to three significant figures.

(4)

(ii) By considering the graph of y = 3 + 1, explain with the aid of a diagram

x

whether your approximation will be an overestimate or an underestimate of the

true value of

(2)

(c) The line y = 5 intersects the curve y = 3x + 1 at the point P. By solving a suitable
equation, find the x-coordinate of the point P. Give your answer to four decimal
places.
(4)

(d) The curve y = 3x + 1 is reflected in the y-axis to give the curve with equation
y = f(x). Write down an expression for f(x).
(1)
(Total 12 marks)

Q9.
(a) Solve the equation 2ex = 5, giving your answer as an exact natural logarithm.
(2)

(b) (i) By substituting y = ex, show that the equation 2ex + 5e–x = 7 can be written as

2y2 – 7y + 5 = 0
(2)

(ii) Hence solve the equation 2ex + 5e–x = 7, giving your answers as exact values
of x.

Page 6 of 22
 (3)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 7 of 22
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) A = 80
B1
1

(b) 5000 = 80 × k56

SC1 Verification. Need 62.51 or better

M1

k= ≈ 1.07664

Or using logs: M1 ln = 56 ln k

A1 k =
Or 3/3 for k =1.076636
Or 1.076637 seen

M1A1
3

(c) (i) V = 80 × k106 = 200707

200648 using full register k

M1A1
2

(ii) ln 10000 = In kt

M1

t= = 124.7 2024
M1 t ln k = ln 10000
A1 CAO
Or trial and improvement M1expression
M1 125, 124, A1 2024

M1A1
3
[9]

Q2.
(a)

Page 8 of 22
 One law of logs used correctly

M1

A second law of logs used correctly

M1

CSO AG

A1
3

(b) loga y + loga 5 = 7 loga 5y = 7

M1

5y = a7 or y = a7 or a = (5y)1/7
Eliminates logs

m1
Accept these forms

A1
3
[6]

Q3.
(a) (i) y-coordinate of A is 27 − 30; = 26
M1A1
2

(ii) When x = 3, y = 27 − 33 = 0 B(3,0)

AG; be convinced

B1
1

(b) h=1
PI

B1

Area ≈ h/2{…}
{…} = f(0) + f(3) + 2[f(1) + f(2)]
OE summing of areas of the ‘trapezia’..

Page 9 of 22
 M1

{…} = “26” + 0 + 2(24 + 18)

on (a)(i) (∑trap = “25” + 21 + 9)

A1

(Area ≈) 55
on [42 + 0.5 × “(a)(i)”]

A1
4

(c) (i) log10 3x = log10 13

Takes ln or log10 on both or x = log3 13

M1

xlog10 3 = log10 13

Use of log 3x = xlog 3 or log3 13 = OE

(PI by log3 13 = 2.335 or better)

m1

…. = 2.3347 to 4dp
Must show that logarithms have been used

A1
3

(ii) {k =} 14
Condone y = 14; Accept final answer 14 with only
zeros after decimal point e.g. 14.000

B1
1

(d) (i) Translation;

‘Translation’ / ‘translate(d)’
B0 if more than one transformation

B1

Accept full equivalent in words provided

linked to ‘translation/move/shift’ and negative y-direction
(Note: B0 B1 is possible)

B1

Page 10 of 22
 2

(ii)

Correct shape (translation of given curve vertically

downwards)

B1
Only point of intersection with coordinate axes is on
negative y-axis and curve is asymptotic to the
negative x-axis

B1
2
[15]

Q4.
(a)

(i)
2e2x
B1
remaining terms correct, no extras

B1
2

(ii) = 4e2x − 10ex

ft 1 slip

B1F
1

(b) (i)

AG (be convinced)

B1
1

(ii)

Page 11 of 22
 use of z = oe

M1

z = 2, 3
z = 2, ex = 2
x = ln 2
finding ex = their 2,3

M1

z = 3,
x = ln 3
all correct AG

A1
SC: verification
(B1)
(B1)
3

(iii) x = ln 2:

y = e2ln2 − 10eln2 + 12ln 2

either substitution of their x = ln 2

or their x = ln 3

M1

or
22 − 10 × 2 + 12 ln 2 = 4 − 20 +12 ln 2 = −16 + 12 ln2

A1

:
9 − 30 + 12 ln 3 − 21 + 12 ln 3

A1
3

(iv) :

use of; in either of their into their

M1

= 16 − 20 = −4

Page 12 of 22
 maximum
CSO

A1

x = ln3 :

= 36 − 30 = 6
minimum
CSO

A1
3
[13]

Q5.
(a) −1
Range: (or )
for −1 only

M1
exactly correct

A1
2

(b)

M1

attempt to isolate

M1

all correct with no error AG (be convinced)

A1
3

Page 13 of 22
 (c)

for differentiation of ln;

M1

for

A1
all correct

A1

x=0

CSO

A1
4

Alternative

M1A1

f′−1(x) =

A1

f′−1(0) =
CSO

A1
[9]

Q6.
(a) (i) seen in a product
Could be implied, eg 5000a − xa

B1

B1
2

Page 14 of 22
 (ii) 200 = k × 1000 × (5000 − 1000)

in their diff. equation

Condone ts and t = 0 for M1

M1

k = 0.00005
CAO OE

A1
2

(b) (i)

M1
CAO

A1
2

(ii)

B1
OE

M1

5000 × e7.5 = x(4 + e7.5)

Soluble for x

m1

x = 4988.96.. 4989 rabbits infected

Or 4988 or 4990; integer value only

A1
4
[10]

Q7.
(a)
A law of logs used correctly

M1

Page 15 of 22
 A different law of logs used correctly

M1

x = 63 ÷ 8 = 27
CSO AG (be convinced)

A1
3
ALT logax = 3 loga6 – 3loga2

(M1)

(M1)

x = 27
(A1) CSO

(b) (i) log4 1 = 0

B1

(ii) log4 4 = 1
SC in (b): For all four answers ¼; 1; ½ ; 2

B1

(iii) log4 2 = 0.5

give 0/4; otherwise mark each

B1

(iv) log4 8 = 1.5

independently

B1
4
[7]

Q8.
(a) {y-coordinate of A is} 2

B1
1

(b) (i) h = 0.25

B1

Page 16 of 22
 Integral = {…}

{…} =

{…}=

M1

2 + 4 + 2[(2.316..+ 2.732..+ 3.279(5.)]

A1

{= 6 + 2 × 8.3276..} {= 22.65(5…)}
Condone one numerical slip
Accept values to 3sf (rnd or trunc)
ft answer from (a) if not “2”

Integral = 0.125 × 22.655.. = 2.8319..

Integral = 2.83 to 3 sf
CAO Must be 2.83
(NMS scores 0/4)

A1
4

(ii) Relevant trapezia drawn on a copy of given graph

Accept relevant single trapezium with its
sloping side above the curve

M1

{Approximation is an}overestimate

A1
2

(c) 5 = 3x + 1 3x = 4

B1

Takes ln or on both sides of , where k > 0

M1

Use of

m1

Page 17 of 22
 = 1.2619 to 4dp
Accept 4dp or better
[If using T&I a full justification is
required; else M0m0A0]

A1
4

(d) f(x) = 3–x + 1

B1
1
[12]

Q9.
(a) 2ex = 5

ex =
(exact)

M1

x = ln (0.916)
(A0 if further wrong work)

A1
2

(b) (i) 2ex + 5e–x = 7

2e2x + 5 = 7e x

Dealing with e–x

M1

2y2 – 7y + 5 = 0
AG

A1
2

(ii) (2y – 5) (y – 1) = 0

attempt to solve y = , 1 (SC B1)

M1

x = ln

Page 18 of 22
 ex =

A1

x = 0 (or ln 1)
ex = 1

A1
3
[7]

Page 19 of 22
Examiner reports

Q1.
This question was answered very well with most candidates gaining nearly full marks. In
part (a) many wrote £80 instead of just 80 but this was accepted.

Part (b) was mostly done accurately with many getting to k = which was accepted
as showing that. Those who used logarithms lost a mark if they didn’t show how log62.5 =
561ogk: led to the given value of k.

Virtually all candidates got part (c) correct, with both the approximate answer 200707 and
the more exact 200648 being seen, often with several decimal places attached, but this
was of no matter as candidates had demonstrated a value greater than £200,000. In part
(c)(ii) there were occasional errors although most candidates used logarithms to derive
124.7 correctly whilst a few used trial and improvement to deduce 125. However, many
lost the last mark in incorrect interpretation of the year, or through not actually giving a
year. The year 2025 was the common wrong answer.

Q2.
This question on logarithms was answered better than questions on the same topic last
year although this area of the specification continues to cause problems for candidates.
Most candidates appreciated that 21oga 6 is equal to loga62 but then a significant number

of candidates made the error of equating loga36 – loga3 to . Examiners expected to

see an intermediate stage between ‘logax = loga 36 – loga 3’ and the printed answer. In
part (b), many candidates were able to write the left-hand side of the given equation as a
single logarithm but then could not move out of logarithms. A significant number of
answers did not involve the constant a or gave the answer as ‘5y = 7a. Although the
question asked for y in terms of a, examiners condoned a final answer left as 5y = a7.

Q3.
This question proved to be a good source of marks for many candidates. Most candidates
answered both parts of (a) correctly although the usual errors, 3° =0 or 3° = 3 and 3 X = 27
x= were seen. The trapezium rule, required in part (b), was generally well
understood although some candidates are still mixing up ‘ordinates’ and ‘strips’ or failing
to use sufficient brackets correctly. Although many candidates scored well in parts (c)
there were others in (i) who used the relevant law of logarithms incorrectly or others who
failed to indicate that logarithms had been used at all. In (ii) not all candidates realised that
a simple substitution of 13 for 3X in k = 27 –3X with evaluation was all that was required.
Descriptions of transformations continue to pose a problem for candidates. Many
candidates gained partial credit for their sketches but both marks were rarely awarded.

Q4.
This question proved to be a good source of marks for many of the candidates. Its
structure enabled candidates to progress even if they were unsuccessful with some of the
parts.

Part (a)(i) Reasonably well done. Errors were with the derivative of e2x Common errors

Page 20 of 22
 were e2x and 2x e2x A number of candidates added a ‘+ c’ when they were differentiating.

Part(a)(ii). Usually correct, with errors, if seen, similar to those in the previous part.

Part (b)(i) The majority of candidates answered this correctly.

Part (b)(ii) Very well answered by the majority of candidates.

Part (b)(iii) Again very well answered with many totally correct responses. The major error
apart from those who used the incorrect equation e2x – 5 e2x + 6 was the evaluation of e21n3
which was often seen as 6 rather than 9. Possibly the evaluation of e21n2 as 4 was
fortuitous for some candidates.

Part (iv) Similar to part (iii) with similar errors, the major one being the evaluation of 4e 21n3
as 4 × 6 = 24. This resulted in an answer of –6 and hence loss of accuracy marks.

Q5.
Part (a) This was very poorly answered by the majority of candidates. Range is a topic
that is not very well understood by candidates.

Part (b) This was reasonably well answered. Errors occurred where candidates, on
interchanging x and y, tried to work with x = 2e3x – 1.

Part (c) This was poorly answered by most of the candidates. Many candidates obtained
the correct differentiation of the ln function but lost marks because they omitted to multiply
by 1/2. This resulted in the very common incorrect answer of 2/3.

Q6.
Most candidates struggled with part (a) of this question, indicating inexperience, or non
understanding, of the formulation of a differential equation from a context situation.

Part (a) Despite the question explicitly requesting a differential equation for many
candidates just wrote down an expression for x.

A commonly seen differential equation was dx/dt = kx which candidates then proceeded
to solve, despite the question stating that a solution of the differential equation was not
required. Of those who could translate the given information into correct symbols, a
symbol t for time, often found its way into their expression, and then often in an
exponential form. Many attempts using the exponential function were seen, suggesting
many candidates associating anything to do with differential equations with exponential
forms. Those candidates who did give a correct differential equation in part (i) usually
found a correct value for the constant of proportionality k. However, there were also many
attempts from a partially correct part (i) where the given values of 1000 and 200 were
confused, the latter often being taken as a value of time. Other candidates put forward the
incorrect argument that the population would be equal to 1200 at time t = 1.

Part (b)(i) Virtually all candidates scored at least one mark here; the common error being
to round off 5.545 to 5.6 or not to round it at all.

Part (b)(ii) Many candidates solved this equation correctly, although it was not always
clear just how they had done it. Most candidates used the technique as per the mark

Page 21 of 22
 scheme, although some worked successfully from e30 = . Of those who
went awry, the error usually involved an incorrect manipulation of the logarithm
expression, including ignoring the ln altogether, or stating 4ln 4 = ln l6. Some started
correctly with 7.5 = ln 4x – ln (5000 – x) but obtained e75 = 4x – (5000 – x). Others made
relatively simple errors in signs or coefficients in their manipulation towards a solution.

Q7.
In part (a), some candidates did not provide sufficient steps to justify stating the printed

value for x. The most common error was illustrated by “ “.

Most candidates gained significant credit in part (b), although part (b)(iv) did provide some
challenge.

Q8.
Many candidates incorrectly evaluated (30 + 1) as 1 in part (a) although surprisingly they
frequently recovered and used the correct answer, 2, in part (b). In general, the trapezium
rule was well understood, although it was relatively common to find an arithmetical slip in
evaluating (3x + 1); the ‘1’ was not added in one of the terms. Candidates should have
given the final answer to the degree of accuracy specified in this numerical integration
question. Some of the weaker candidates just integrated (3x + 1) directly as (3x + 1 + x) The
use of a diagram to show that the approximation is an overestimate was well understood,
although some used rectangles rather than the required trapeziums and others had the
sloping sides of their trapeziums in the wrong positions, that is, below the curve. Part (c)
was generally well answered although some weaker candidates tried to take logarithms of
each term rather than to rearrange the equation into the form ‘3x = 4’ as a first step. Those
candidates who used trial and improvement usually failed to produce an acceptable
solution. In part (d), a common wrong expression for f(x) was “−3x + 1”, although a
significant minority did obtain the correct answer “ 3−x+ 1”.

Q9.
Part (a) tested the relationship of ex and ln x. This part was well answered. Part (b)
required algebraic manipulation using e–x which discriminated between candidates. The
final part was accessible to candidates who failed on the previous part. Candidates were
required to give exact answers and not decimal equivalents.

Page 22 of 22