(a) Simplify : \(\frac{1}{2}\log_{10} 25 - 2\log_{10} 3 + \log_{10} 18\) (b) If \(123_{y} = 83_{10}\), obtain an equation in y, hence find the value of y. (...

Assessment: WAEC SSCE - General Mathematics - 2002 (Essay) Subject: General Mathematics

Question 1 Report

(a) Simplify : \(\frac{1}{2}\log_{10} 25 - 2\log_{10} 3 + \log_{10} 18\)

(b) If \(123_{y} = 83_{10}\), obtain an equation in y, hence find the value of y.

(c) Solve the equation \(\frac{9^{2x - 3}}{3^{x + 3}} = 1\)

Answer Details

(a) \[\tfrac12\log_{10}25-2\log_{10}3+\log_{10}18=\log_{10}5-\log_{10}9+\log_{10}18=\log_{10}\!\left(\frac{5\times18}{9}\right)=\log_{10}10=1.\]

(b) \(123_{y}=1\cdot y^{2}+2\cdot y+3\). So \[y^{2}+2y+3=83\Rightarrow y^{2}+2y-80=0\Rightarrow(y+10)(y-8)=0.\] Since a base must be positive, \(y=8\).

(c) \[\frac{9^{2x-3}}{3^{x+3}}=1.\] Write \(9=3^{2}\): numerator \(=3^{2(2x-3)}=3^{4x-6}\). Then \[3^{(4x-6)-(x+3)}=3^{0}\Rightarrow 3x-9=0\Rightarrow x=3.\]

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