XI Basic Algebra — Chapter 2 Study Guide

(Cleaned, corrected, and reorganized from handwritten notes by Manikandan S)

Corrections made to the original notes (see ⚠ marks below for details): 1. Ex 2.2, Q2 — final interval should be x ∈ (−∞,
5/12) ∪ (7/12, ∞), not 5/2. 2. Ex 2.3, Q10 — B's monthly salary is ₹27,000, not ₹2,700 (a stray zero was dropped). 3. Ex 2.4,
Q2 — (1+√5)(1−√5) = −4, not 4 (the sign was lost mid-line; the final formula luckily still used −4 correctly). 4. Ex 2.9, Q11 —
final partial fraction denominator is (x−1), not (x−2) (typo). 5. Ex 2.9, Q12 — denominator is (1+x²), not (1−x²) (typo in the
last line only). 6. Ex 2.12, Q1 — domain/range were reversed; corrected below. 7. Ex 2.12, Q4 — the right side of the equation
is 2^(log₂8), not "2·log₂8" (this is the only reading consistent with the worked steps and answer x = 2).

EX 2.1 — Rational, Irrational, Real Numbers

Q1. Classify each element of {√7, −1/4, 0, 3.14, 4, 22/7} as belonging to N, Q, R, R−Q, or Z.

Number Classification

√7 R − Q (irrational)

−1/4 Q

0 Z, Q

3.14 Q

4 N, Z, Q

22/7 Q

Q2. Prove √3 is irrational.

Suppose √3 = m/n, where m, n are positive integers with no common factor greater than 1 (n ≠ 0).
√3n = m ⟹ 3n² = m² … (1)
Since 3n² is divisible by 3, m² is a multiple of 3, so m is a multiple of 3. Let m = 3k.
(1) ⟹ 3n² = (3k)² = 9k² ⟹ n² = 3k²
Since 3k² is divisible by 3, n² is a multiple of 3, so n is a multiple of 3.
This means m and n share a common factor of 3 — contradicting our assumption. Hence √3 is irrational. ∎
Q3. Are there two distinct irrational numbers whose difference is rational? Justify.
Let a+√b and c+√b ∈ R−Q.

Difference = (a+√b) − (c+√b) = a − c ∈ Q.

So yes — the difference of two distinct irrationals can be rational.

Q4. Find two irrationals whose sum is rational, and two whose product is rational.
Let 4+√2 and 4−√2 ∈ R−Q.

Sum = (4+√2)+(4−√2) = 8 ∈ Q
Product = (4+√2)(4−√2) = 4² − (√2)² = 16 − 4 = 12 ∈ Q

So both the sum and product of two distinct irrationals can be rational.
Q5. Find a positive number smaller than 1/2¹⁰⁰⁰. Is it 1/2¹⁰⁰¹? Justify.

Since 1000 < 1001, 2¹⁰⁰⁰ < 2¹⁰⁰¹, so 1/2¹⁰⁰⁰ > 1/2¹⁰⁰¹.
Hence a positive number smaller than 1/2¹⁰⁰⁰ is indeed 1/2¹⁰⁰¹.

EX 2.2 — Absolute Value Inequalities

Q1. Solve for x:

(i) |3−x| < 7 −7 < 3−x < 7 ⟹ −10 < −x < 4 ⟹ −4 < x < 10
(ii) |4x−5| ≥ −2 Absolute value is always ≥ 0 ≥ −2, so this holds for all x ∈ R.

(iii) |3 − (3/4)x| ≤ 1/4 −1/4 ≤ 3 − (3/4)x ≤ 1/4 −13/4 ≤ −(3/4)x ≤ −11/4 Multiply by −4/3 (inequality flips): 13/3 ≥ x ≥ 11/3 ⟹
11/3 ≤ x ≤ 13/3
(iv) |x| − 10 < −3 |x| < 7 ⟹ −7 < x < 7

Q2. Solve 1/|2x−1| < 6, express using interval notation.

|2x−1| > 1/6

2x−1 > 1/6 → x > 7/12 | 2x−1 < −1/6 → x < 5/12
⚠ Corrected: the original note's final line read "(−∞, 5/2)"; the correct bound (matching the working) is 5/12.

x ∈ (−∞, 5/12) ∪ (7/12, ∞)

Q3. Solve −3|x|+5 ≤ −2. Graph the solution.

−3|x| ≤ −7 ⟹ |x| ≥ 7/3 ⟹ x ≥ 7/3 or x ≤ −7/3

x ∈ (−∞, −7/3] ∪ [7/3, ∞)

Q4. Solve 2|x+1| − 6 ≤ 7. Graph the solution.

2|x+1| ≤ 13 ⟹ |x+1| ≤ 13/2 ⟹ −13/2 ≤ x+1 ≤ 13/2

x ∈ [−15/2, 11/2]

Q5. Solve (1/5)|10x−2| < 1.

|10x−2| < 5 ⟹ −5 < 10x−2 < 5 ⟹ −3 < 10x < 7

x ∈ (−3/10, 7/10)

Q6. Solve |5x−12| < −2.

Absolute value can never be negative, so there is no solution.

EX 2.3 — Linear Inequalities

Q1. Interval notation:

Question Interval

a) x ≥ −1 and x < 4 x ∈ [−1, 4)

b) x ≤ 5 and x ≥ −3 x ∈ [−3, 5]

c) x < −1 or x < 3 x ∈ (−∞, 3)

d) −2x > 0 or 3x−4 < 11 x < 0 or x < 5 ⟹ x ∈ (−∞, 5)

Q2. Solve 23x < 100 when (i) x ∈ N (ii) x ∈ Z.

x < 100/23 ≈ 4.34

(i) x = {1, 2, 3, 4} (ii) x = {…, −4, −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4}

Q3. Solve −2x ≥ 9 when (i) x ∈ R (ii) x ∈ Z (iii) x ∈ N.
x ≤ −9/2

(i) x ∈ (−∞, −9/2] (ii) x = {…, −7, −6, −5} (iii) No solution (naturals are all positive)
Q4. Solve:
(i) 3(x−2)/5 ≤ 5(2−x)/3 9(x−2) ≤ 25(2−x) ⟹ 9x−18 ≤ 50−25x ⟹ 34x ≤ 68 ⟹ x ≤ 2, i.e. x ∈ (−∞, 2]
(ii) (5−x)/3 < x/2 − 4 2(5−x) < 3x−24 ⟹ 10−2x < 3x−24 ⟹ 34 < 5x ⟹ x > 34/5, i.e. x ∈ (34/5, ∞)

Q5. A-grade requires an average ≥ 90 across 5 subjects (max 100 each). Scores in first four subjects: 84, 87, 95, 91.
Minimum score needed in the 5th subject?
Let the 5th score be x.

(357 + x)/5 ≥ 90 ⟹ 357+x ≥ 450 ⟹ x ≥ 93

Minimum mark needed = 93
Q6. 600 L of a 12% acid solution. How much of a 30% solution must be added so the mixture is between 15% and 18%
acid?
Acid in initial solution = (12/100)(600) = 72 L
Let x = litres of 30% solution added → acid added = 30x/100

Total acid = 72 + 30x/100; total volume = 600+x

15 < [(7200+30x)/(600+x)] < 18
Case (i): 15(600+x) < 7200+30x ⟹ 9000+15x < 7200+30x ⟹ 1800 < 15x ⟹ x > 120
Case (ii): 7200+30x < 18(600+x) ⟹ 7200+30x < 10800+18x ⟹ 12x < 3600 ⟹ x < 300

Answer: 120 < x < 300 litres

Q7. Find all pairs of consecutive odd naturals, both greater than 10, whose sum is less than 40.
Let x and x+2 be the consecutive odd numbers.
x > 10 … (1) x + (x+2) < 40 ⟹ 2x < 38 ⟹ x < 19 … (2)

From (1) & (2): 10 < x < 19 → x = 11, 13, 15, 17

Pairs: (11,13), (13,15), (15,17), (17,19)
Q8. h(t) = −5t² + 100t (0 ≤ t ≤ 20) is a rocket's height. When is it above 495 ft?
−5t² + 100t > 495 ⟹ 5t² − 100t + 495 < 0 ⟹ t² − 20t + 99 < 0 ⟹ (t−9)(t−11) < 0
Answer: 9 < t < 11 seconds
Q9. Scheme 1: ₹500 + ₹70/hr. Scheme 2: ₹120/hr. For what x (hours) does Scheme 1 pay better?

500 + 70x > 120x ⟹ 500 > 50x ⟹ x < 10

For fewer than 10 working hours, Scheme 1 gives better wages.
Q10. A and B do similar jobs; their annual salaries differ by more than ₹6000. B earns ₹27,000/month. What are A's
possible monthly salaries?
⚠ Corrected: B's monthly salary is ₹27,000 (the note briefly dropped a zero, writing ₹2,700, but used ₹27,000 correctly in the
rest of the working).

Difference in monthly salary = 6000/12 = 500

|A's salary − 27000| > 500
A − 27000 > 500 → A > 27500, or A − 27000 < −500 → A < 26500

A's salary is either less than ₹26,500 or more than ₹27,500.

EX 2.4 — Quadratic Equations & Their Roots

Q1. Construct a quadratic equation with roots 7 and −3.

Method 1 (factors): (x−7)(x+3) = 0 ⟹ x² − 4x − 21 = 0

Method 2 (sum & product): S = 7+(−3) = 4, P = 7×(−3) = −21
x² − (S)x + P = 0 ⟹ x² − 4x − 21 = 0

Q2. A quadratic polynomial has one zero 1+√5 and satisfies P(1) = 2. Find it.
Irrational roots occur in conjugate pairs, so 1−√5 is the other root.
Sum of roots = (1+√5)+(1−√5) = 2
⚠ Corrected: Product of roots = (1+√5)(1−√5) = 1 − 5 = −4 (the original note wrote "= 4", losing the sign, though it correctly
used −4 in the next line).
P(x) = k(x² − 2x − 4) … (1)
Given P(1) = 2: k(1 − 2 − 4) = 2 ⟹ −5k = 2 ⟹ k = −2/5

P(x) = −2/5 (x² − 2x − 4)

Q3. α, β are roots of x² + √2x + 3 = 0. Form a quadratic with zeros 1/α, 1/β.
α+β = −√2, αβ = 3

New sum = 1/α + 1/β = (α+β)/αβ = −√2/3

New product = 1/(αβ) = 1/3
x² − (−√2/3)x + 1/3 = 0 ⟹ x² + (√2/3)x + 1/3 = 0
Multiply by 3: 3x² + √2x + 1 = 0

Q4. One root of K(x−1)² = 5x−7 is double the other. Show K = 2 or −25.
K(x²−2x+1) − 5x + 7 = 0 ⟹ Kx² − (2K+5)x + (K+7) = 0
Let roots be a and 2a.
Sum: 3a = (2K+5)/K ⟹ a = (2K+5)/(3K) … (1)

Product: 2a² = (K+7)/K

2[(2K+5)/(3K)]² = (K+7)/K
2(4K²+20K+25)/9K² = (K+7)/K

Multiply through and simplify: 8K² + 40K + 50 = 9K² + 63K

⟹ K² + 23K − 50 = 0 ⟹ (K−2)(K+25) = 0

K = 2 or K = −25. Hence proved.

Q5. If the difference of roots of 2x² − (a+1)x + (a−1) = 0 equals their product, prove a = 2.
α+β = (a+1)/2, αβ = (a−1)/2

Given: α−β = αβ ⟹ (α−β)² = (αβ)²

(α+β)² − 4αβ = (αβ)²

[(a+1)/2]² − 4[(a−1)/2] = [(a−1)/2]²

Multiply by 4: (a+1)² − 8(a−1) = (a−1)²

a²+2a+1 − 8a+8 = a²−2a+1 ⟹ −4a+8 = 0 ⟹ a = 2. Hence proved.

Q6. Find the condition on ax² + bx + c = 0 so that one root is (i) negative of the other, (ii) thrice the other, (iii)
reciprocal of the other.

(i) Roots α, −α: sum = 0 = −b/a ⟹ b = 0

(ii) Roots α, 3α: sum = 4α = −b/a ⟹ α = −b/4a Product = 3α² = c/a ⟹ 3(b/4a)² = c/a ⟹ 3b² = 16ac

(iii) Roots α, 1/α: product = 1 = c/a ⟹ c = a

Q7. x²−ax+b = 0 and x²−ℓx+f = 0 share one root; the second equation has equal roots. Prove aℓ = 2(b+f).

x²−ax+b=0 …(1) x²−ℓx+f=0 …(2)

α, β are roots (α common) α, α are equal roots

α+β = a 2α = ℓ

αβ = b α² = f

LHS = aℓ = (α+β)(2α) = 2(α²+αβ) = 2(f+b) = RHS. Hence proved.

Q8. Discuss the nature of roots:

Equation a, b, c b²−4ac Nature of roots

−x²+3x+1=0 a=−1, b=3, c=1 9+4=13 (+ve) Real & distinct

4x²−x−2=0 a=4, b=−1, c=−2 1+32=33 (+ve) Real & distinct

9x²+5x=0 a=9, b=5, c=0 25 (+ve) Real & distinct

Q9. Without graphing, determine whether these meet the x-axis, and how many times:

Function b²−4ac Result

y=x²+x+2 1−8=−7 (−ve) Does not meet x-axis

y=x²−3x−7 9+28=37 (+ve) Intersects at 2 points

y=x²+6x+9 36−36=0 Touches x-axis at 1 point

Q10. Write f(x) = x²+5x+4 in completed-square form.

f(x) = x² + 5x + (5/2)² − (5/2)² + 4 = (x+5/2)² − 25/4 + 4 = (x+5/2)² − 9/4

f(x) = (x + 5/2)² − (3/2)²

EX 2.5 — Quadratic Inequalities

Q1. Solve 2x² + x − 15 ≤ 0.

(x+3)(2x−5) ≤ 0 → critical points −3, 5/2

Interval Sign

(−∞,−3) +

(−3, 5/2) −

(5/2, ∞) +

x ∈ [−3, 5/2]
Q2. Solve −x² + 3x − 2 ≥ 0.

x² − 3x + 2 ≤ 0 ⟹ (x−1)(x−2) ≤ 0 → critical points 1, 2

x ∈ [1, 2]

EX 2.6 — Polynomial Equations

Q1. Find the zeros of f(x) = 4x² − 25.

(2x−5)(2x+5) = 0 ⟹ x = 5/2 or x = −5/2

Q2. x = −2 is one root of x³ − x² − 17x = 22. Find the other roots.

Rewrite: x³ − x² − 17x − 22 = 0. Synthetic division by x = −2:

1 −1 −17 −22 −2 6 22 1 −3 −11 0

Quotient: x² − 3x − 11 = 0 ⟹ x = (3 ± √(9+44))/2 = (3 ± √53)/2

Other roots: (3+√53)/2 and (3−√53)/2

Q3. Find the real roots of x⁴ = 16.

x⁴ − 16 = 0 ⟹ (x²−4)(x²+4) = 0 ⟹ (x−2)(x+2)(x²+4) = 0
Real roots: x = 2, x = −2 (the other two roots are complex)
Q4. Solve (2x+1)² − (3x+2)² = 0.

[(2x+1)+(3x+2)][(2x+1)−(3x+2)] = 0 (using a²−b² = (a+b)(a−b))

(5x+3)(−x−1) = 0

x = −3/5 or x = −1

EX 2.7 — Factoring & Division

Q1. Factorize x⁴ + 1 (hint: complete the square).

(x²)² + 2x² + 1 − 2x² = (x²+1)² − (√2x)²

= (x² + √2x + 1)(x² − √2x + 1)

Q2. x²+x+1 is a factor of 3x³+8x²+8x+a. Find a.

By long division, quotient = 3x+5, remainder = a−5.

For exact division: a = 5

EX 2.8 — Rational Inequalities

Q1. Find all x for which x³(x−1)/(x−2) > 0.

Critical points: x = 0, x = 1, x ≠ 2

Interval Sign

(−∞, 0) −

(0, 1) +

(1, 2) −

(2, ∞) +

x ∈ (0, 1) ∪ (2, ∞)

Q2. Solve (2x−3)/[(x−2)(x−4)] < 0.

Critical points: x = 3/2, x ≠ 2, x ≠ 4

x ∈ (−∞, 3/2) ∪ (2, 4)

Q3. Solve (x²−4)/(x²−2x−15) ≤ 0.

(x−2)(x+2) / [(x−5)(x+3)] ≤ 0 — critical points −3(excl), −2, 2, 5(excl)

x ∈ (−3, −2] ∪ [2, 5)

EX 2.9 — Partial Fractions

Q1. 1/(x²−a²)

= 1/[(x−a)(x+a)] = A/(x−a) + B/(x+a)

1 = A(x+a) + B(x−a); x=a → A=1/(2a); x=−a → B=−1/(2a)

= 1/[2a(x−a)] − 1/[2a(x+a)]

Q2. (3x+1)/[(x−2)(x+1)]
3x+1 = A(x+1)+B(x−2); x=2 → A=7/3; x=−1 → B=2/3

= 7/[3(x−2)] + 2/[3(x+1)]

Q3. x/[(x²+1)(x−1)(x+2)]
Let it equal A/(x−1) + B/(x+2) + (Cx+D)/(x²+1)

x = A(x+2)(x²+1) + B(x−1)(x²+1) + (Cx+D)(x−1)(x+2)

x=1: A = 1/6. x=−2: B = 2/15.

Equate x³ coefficient: 0 = A+B+C ⟹ C = −1/6 − 2/15 = −3/10

x=0: 0 = 2A − B − 2D ⟹ D = A − B/2 = 1/6 − 1/15 = 1/10

= 1/[6(x−1)] + 2/[15(x+2)] + (1−3x)/[10(x²+1)]

Q4. x/(x−1)³

x = A(x−1)² + B(x−1) + C
x=1: C=1. Coefficient of x²: A=0. x=0: 0 = A−B+C ⟹ B=1
= 1/(x−1)² + 1/(x−1)³
Q5. 1/(x⁴−1)

= 1/[(x−1)(x+1)(x²+1)] = A/(x−1) + B/(x+1) + (Cx+D)/(x²+1)

x=1: A=1/4. x=−1: B=−1/4.

x³ coeff: 0=A+B+C ⟹ C=0. x=0: 1=A−B−D ⟹ D=−1/2

= 1/[4(x−1)] − 1/[4(x+1)] − 1/[2(x²+1)]

Q6. (x−1)²/(x³+x)
= (x−1)²/[x(x²+1)] = A/x + (Bx+C)/(x²+1)

x=0: A=1. x² coeff: B=0. x=1: C=−2

= 1/x − 2/(x²+1)
Q7. (x²+x+1)/(x²−5x+6) (improper fraction)

Division gives quotient 1, remainder 6x−5:

= 1 + (6x−5)/[(x−2)(x−3)]
x=2: A=−7. x=3: B=13.

= 1 + 13/(x−3) − 7/(x−2)
Q8. (x³+2x+1)/(x²+5x+6) (improper fraction)

Division gives quotient x−5, remainder 21x+31:

= x−5 + (21x+31)/[(x+2)(x+3)]
x=−2: A=−11. x=−3: B=32.

= x − 5 − 11/(x+2) + 32/(x+3)

Q9. (x+12)/[(x+1)²(x−2)]
= A/(x−2) + B/(x+1) + C/(x+1)²

x+12 = A(x+1)² + B(x−2)(x+1) + C(x−2)

x=2: A = 14/9. x=−1: C = −11/3. x² coeff: B = −14/9

= 14/[9(x−2)] − 14/[9(x+1)] − 11/[3(x+1)²]

Q10. (6x²−x+1)/(x³+x²+x+1)

= (6x²−x+1)/[(x+1)(x²+1)] = A/(x+1) + (Bx+C)/(x²+1)

x=−1: A=4. x² coeff: B=2. x=0: C=−3

= 4/(x+1) + (2x−3)/(x²+1)

Q11. (2x²+5x−11)/(x²+2x−3) (improper fraction)

Division gives quotient 2, remainder x−5:

= 2 + (x−5)/[(x+3)(x−1)]

x=1: B=−1. x=−3: A=2.

⚠ Corrected: the note's final line accidentally wrote "(x−2)" in one spot; the denominator factors are (x+3) and (x−1).

= 2 + 2/(x+3) − 1/(x−1)

Q12. (7+x)/[(1+x)(1+x²)]
x+7 = A(x²+1) + (Bx+C)(x+1)

x=−1: A=3. x² coeff: B=−3. x=0: C=4

⚠ Corrected: the note's final line wrote the denominator as "(1−x²)"; it should be (1+x²), consistent with every step of the
working.

= 3/(x+1) + (−3x+4)/(x²+1)

EX 2.10 — Systems of Linear Inequalities (graphical)

These questions ask you to shade the region in the xy-plane satisfying a set of inequalities. The method is the same throughout:

1. Convert each inequality to an equation (e.g. change ≤ to =) and find two points to plot the line.
2. Draw all the lines.
3. Test a convenient point (often the origin) in each inequality to decide which side to shade.
4. The final answer is the region satisfying all inequalities simultaneously (the overlap).

Q Inequalities Region description

1 x ≤ 3y, x ≥ y Region between the lines x=3y and x=y, above x=3y and below x=y

2 y ≥ 2x, −2x+3y ≤ 6 Region above y=2x and below −2x+3y=6

3 3x+5y ≥ 45, x≥0, y≥0 Region in the first quadrant bounded above the line 3x+5y=45
 4 2x+3y ≤ 35, x≥5, y≥2 Region bounded between x=5, y=2, and 2x+3y=35

5 2x+3y ≤ 6, x+4y ≤ 4, x≥0, y≥0 Region bounded between the axes, x+4y=4, and 2x+3y=6

6 x−2y ≥ 0, 2x−y ≤ −2, x≥0, y≥0 No common solution region exists for these inequalities

7 2x+3y ≥ 8, x+2y ≥ 8, x+y ≤ 6 Region bounded between the three lines 2x+3y=8, x+2y=8, and x+y=6

(Sketch each on graph paper by plotting the two intercepts of every line and shading the overlapping region.)

EX 2.11 — Exponents & Surds

Q1. Simplify:

(i) (125)^(2/3) = (5³)^(2/3) = 5² = 25

(ii) 16^(−3/4) = (2⁴)^(−3/4) = 2^(−3) = 1/8

(iii) (−1000)^(−2/3) = ((−10)³)^(−2/3) = (−10)^(−2) = 1/100

(iv) (3^(−6))^(1/3) = 3^(−2) = 1/9

(v) (27)^(−2/3) / (27)^(−1/3) = (27)^(−1/3) = 1/3

Q2. Evaluate (((256)^(−1/2))^(−1/4))³

= 256^[(−1/2)(−1/4)(3)] = 256^(3/8) = (2⁸)^(3/8) = 2³ = 8

Q3. If (x^(1/2)+x^(−1/2))² = 9/2, find (x^(1/2)−x^(−1/2)) for x>1.

(x^½−x^−½)² = (x^½+x^−½)² − 4 = 9/2 − 4 = 1/2

x^(1/2) − x^(−1/2) = 1/√2

Q4. Simplify 3^(2n)·9²·3^(−n) / 3^(3n) = 27, find n.

3^(2n+4−n−3n) = 3^(4−2n) = 3³

4 − 2n = 3 ⟹ n = 1/2

Q5. Find the radius of a spherical tank whose volume is 32π/3 units.

(4/3)πr³ = 32π/3 ⟹ r³ = 8 ⟹ r = 2
Q6. Rationalize the denominator of (7+√6)/(3−√2).

= (7+√6)/(3−√2) × (3+√2)/(3+√2) = (21+7√2+3√6+√12)/7

= (21 + 7√2 + 3√6 + 2√3)/7

Q7. Simplify (telescoping): 1/(3−√8) − 1/(√8−√7) + 1/(√7−√6) − 1/(√6−√5) + 1/(√5−2)

Rationalizing each term: (3+√8) − (√8+√7) + (√7+√6) − (√6+√5) + (√5+2)

All the surd terms cancel, leaving 3 + 2 = 5

Q8. If x = √2+√3, find (x²+1)/(x²−2).

x² = (√2+√3)² = 5 + 2√6

(x²+1)/(x²−2) = (6+2√6)/(3+2√6)

Rationalize: × (3−2√6)/(3−2√6) = (18−12√6+6√6−24)/(9−24) = (−6−6√6)/(−15)

= (2 + 2√6)/5

EX 2.12 — Logarithms

Q1. Express y = bˣ (b>0, b≠1) in logarithmic form. State domain & range of the logarithmic function.
Logarithmic form: logᵦy = x

⚠ Corrected: the original note's domain/range were swapped. For the exponential function y = bˣ: Domain = R, Range = (0, ∞).
Converting to the logarithmic function x = logᵦy (i.e., f(y) = logᵦy):

Domain: (0, ∞)
Range: R

Q2. Compute log₉27 − log₂₇9.

log₉27 = log₉3³ = 3log₉3 = 3log₉9^(1/2) = (3/2)log₉9 = 3/2

log₂₇9 = 1/log₉27 = 1/(3/2) = 2/3

log₉27 − log₂₇9 = 3/2 − 2/3 = 5/6

Q3. Solve log₈x + log₄x + log₂x = 11.

Using 1/log_x(2) as a common variable: log_x8 = 3log_x2, log_x4 = 2log_x2

1/(3log_x2) + 1/(2log_x2) + 1/log_x2 = 11
(1/log_x2)(1/3+1/2+1) = 11 ⟹ (1/log_x2)(11/6) = 11 ⟹ log_x2 = 1/6
⟹ log₂x = 6 ⟹ x = 2⁶ = 64

Q4. Solve log₄2^(8x) = 2^(log₂8).

RHS = 2^(log₂8) = 8 (since b^(log_b a) = a)

LHS: log₄(2^8x) = 8x·log₄2 = 8x·(1/2) = 4x

4x = 8 ⟹ x = 2

Q5. If a²+b² = 7ab, show log[(a+b)/3] = (1/2)(log a + log b).

Add 2ab to both sides: a²+b²+2ab = 9ab ⟹ (a+b)² = 9ab

[(a+b)/3]² = ab ⟹ (a+b)/3 = (ab)^(1/2)

Taking log: log[(a+b)/3] = (1/2)log(ab) = (1/2)(log a + log b). Hence proved.

Q6. Prove log(a²/bc) + log(b²/ca) + log(c²/ab) = 0.

= log[(a²b²c²)/(a²b²c²)] = log 1 = 0. Hence proved.

Q7. Prove log2 + 16log(16/15) + 12log(25/24) + 7log(81/80) = 1.

Expanding each term by prime factorization (16=2⁴, 15=3·5, 25=5², 24=2³·3, 81=3⁴, 80=2⁴·5) and combining exponents, every
prime except one factor of 2 and one factor of 5 cancels out, leaving:

log2 + log5 = log10 = log₁₀10 = 1. Hence proved.

Q8. Prove log_a²a · log_b²b · log_c²c = 1/8.

log_a²a = 1/log_a(a²) = 1/(2log_aa) = 1/2. Similarly the other two factors equal 1/2 each.

Product = (1/2)(1/2)(1/2) = 1/8. Hence proved.

Q9. Prove log a + log a² + log a³ + … + log aⁿ = [n(n+1)/2] log a.

LHS = log a + 2log a + 3log a + … + n log a = log a (1+2+3+…+n) = [n(n+1)/2] log a. Hence proved.

Q10. If log x/(y−z) = log y/(z−x) = log z/(x−y), prove xyz = 1.

Let each ratio = k. Then log x = k(y−z), log y = k(z−x), log z = k(x−y).

Adding: log x + log y + log z = k[(y−z)+(z−x)+(x−y)] = k(0) = 0

log(xyz) = 0 ⟹ xyz = 1. Hence proved.

Q11. Solve log₂x − 3log_(1/2)x = 6.

Let log₂x = t. Then log_(1/2)x = −t.

t − 3(−t) = 6 ⟹ 4t = 6 ⟹ t = 3/2

log₂x = 3/2 ⟹ x = 2^(3/2) = 2√2

Q12. Solve log_(5−x)(x²−6x+65) = 2.

x² − 6x + 65 = (5−x)²= 25 − 10x + x²
−6x + 65 = −10x + 25 ⟹ 4x = −40 ⟹ x = −10

(Check: base 5−(−10) = 15 > 0 and ≠ 1, so this is valid.)

End of guide.