Logarithms

Recall:
m
a =n a → base ,m →index , n → number

Log form
log a n=m

Example 1.
Express the following in log form
a) 23
b) 102
c) 3 4
d) 82

Example 2.
Solve
a) log3 27
b) log13 169
c) log16 8
d) log3 243

Laws of Logarithms
log a m+ log a n=log a mn
log a m−log a n=log a( )m
n
n
n log a m=log a m
If base is not given, assume base 10. log ❑ of a negative does not exist
and log a a=1 since a 1=a

Example 3
Simplify
a) log 2(3 x +1)+ log2 3
b) log3 x−log3 5 x+ log3 y
c) 3 log5 2+2 log5 3−2 log5 6
Solving Logarithmic Equations
If log a m=loga n, m=n

Example 4
Evaluate each of the following without tables or calculators
a) log 2 √ 32+ log2 √2
b) log 6 √ 108−log6 √3
c) lg75+ lg 4−lg 3
d) log3 √ 729−log3 √ 9
e) log5 √ 625−log5 √25

Example 5
Solve
a) log 2 ( 2 x−1 )=log2 ( x +3 )
b) log 2 3+ log2 ( 3 x−1 )=log2 ( x +2 )
c) log3 ( 3 x−1 )=log2 64
d) 3 log5 x=log5 27

Exercise 1.
Solve
a) 2 log6 x=log6 ( 2 x+3 )
b) 2 log3 x=log3 ( 3 x−2 )
c) log3 ( x 2 +2 )=1+ log3 ( x +2 )
d) log 4 ( x2 +8 x−1 ) =2+log 4 ( x −1 )
e) log 2( 2 x 2 +3 x+5 ¿ )=3+log2 ( x+1 ) ¿
f) log ( x +17 ) =2 log ( x−3 )
g) log 2 ( x 2−x +2 )=1+2 log2 x
h) log5 x=1−log5 ( x−4)

Past Paper Questions

2012
1) Solve the equation 32 x −9 ( 3−2 x ) =8 2012

2)
a) Express x 3=10 x−3 in the form log10 x=ax +b
b) Hence, state the value of the gradient of a graph of log10 x versus x

2013
3) Given that 53 x−2=7x +2, show that
2 ( log 5+log 7 )
x=
( log 125−log 7 )

2015
4) Solve the following equations
x+2 1
a) 16 = 4
b) log3 ( x +2 ) +log3 ( x−1 )=log3 ( 6 x−8 )

2016
5) Solve the equation 22 x +1+5 ( 2 x )−3=0

6) Given that T =k p[ c ], make c the subject of the formula

h

7) Solve the equation log ( x +1 ) +log ( x−1 )=2 log ( x +2 )

2017
8) The values of the variables P and x in Table 1 obtained from an
experiment are thought to obey a law of the form P= A x −k
x 1.58 2.51 3.98 6.30 10.0
P 121.5 110.6 106.2 99.1 93.8

i) Use logarithms to reduce the equation to linear form

2018
 9) An equation relating V and t is given by V =k at where k and a are
constants.
i) Use logarithms to derive an equation of the form y=mx+c that can
be used to find the values of k and a
ii) If a graph of y versus x from the equation in (i) is plotted, a straight
line is obtained. State an expression for the gradient of the graph.

2019
10) Solve 3 x log 2+ log 8x =2

2021
11) Given that log 2 ( 6+ √12 ) −log2 ( 3+ √ a ) =log 10, find the value of a

Solution to Example 1
a) log 2 8=3
b) log10 100=2
c) log3 81=4
d) log 8 64=2

Solution to Example 2
 a) log3 27 ⇒ 33 =27 ⇒3
b) log13 169 ⇒ 132=169 ⇒ 2
c) log16 8 ⇒ 16 0.75=8 ⇒ 0.75
d) log3 243 ⇒ 35 =243⇒ 5

Solutions to Example 3
a) log 2(3 x +1)+ log2 3=log2 3(3 x +1)
b) log3 x−log3 5 x+ log3 y=log3 ( 5xx × y)=log ( 5y )
3

( 23 ) ( 32 )
3 2 2
( )
72
c) 3 log5 2+2 log5 3−2 log5 6=log5 2 + log5 3 −log 5 6 =log 5 ( 2 ) =log 5 36 =log 5 2
6

Solutions for Example 4

a) log 2 √ 32× √2
¿ log 2 √ 32× 2
¿ log 2 √ 64
¿ log 2 √ 82
¿ log 2 8
3
¿ log 2 2
¿3

log 6 √ 108
b) log 6 √ 3

¿ log 6
√
108
3
¿ log 6 √ 36
¿ log 6 6
¿1

c) lg ( 75×3 4 )
¿ lg 100
2
¿ lg 10
2
¿ log 10 10
¿2

d) log3
√ 729
9
¿ log 3 √ 81
¿ log 3 √ 92
¿ log 3 9
2
¿ log 3 3
¿2

e) log 5
¿ log 5 √ 25
√ 625
25

¿ log 5 √ 52
¿ log 5 5
¿1

Solutions for Example 5

a) log 2 ( 2 x−1 )=log2 ( x +3 )
2 x−1=x +3
2 x−x=3+1
x=4

b) log 2 3+ log2 ( 3 x−1 )=log2 ( x +2 )

log 2 3 ( 3 x−1 )=log 2 ( x +2 )
9 x−3=x+ 2
8 x=5
5
x=
8

c) log 3 ( 3 x−1 )=log 2 64

log 3 ( 3 x−1 )=6
( 3 x−1 )=3 6
3 x−1=729
3 x=730
730
x=
3

d) 3 log5 x=log5 27
3
log 5 x =log5 27
3
x =27
x=3

Solutions to Exercise 1
 a) 2 log 6 x=log 6 ( 2 x+3 )
2
log 6 x =log 6 ( 2 x+ 3 )
2
x =2 x+3
2
x −2 x−3=0
x=3 x = -1
x=3 inadmissible

b) 2 log3 x=log3 ( 3 x−2 )

2
log 3 x =log 3 ( 3 x−2 )
2
x −3 x+ 2=0
x=1, x=2

c) log 3 ( x 2 +2 )=1+ log 3 ( x +2 )

log 3 ( x 2 +2 )=log 3 3+ log 3 ( x +2 )
log 3 ( x 2 +2 )=log 3 3 ( x +2 )
( x 2 +2 )=3 ( x +2 )
2
x −3 x−4=0
x=4 , x=−1(Inadmissible)

d) log 4 ( x2 +8 x−1 ) =2+log 4 ( x −1 )

log 4 ( x2 +8 x−1 ) =2 log 4 4+ log 4 ( x−1 )
log 4 ( x2 +8 x−1 ) =log 4 42 + log 4 (x−1)
log 4 ( x2 +8 x−1 ) =log 4 16 (x−1)
( x 2 +8 x−1 )=16 (x−1)
2
x −8 x +15=0
x=5 , x=3

e) log 2 ( 2 x 2+3 x +5 ) =3+log 2 ( x+ 1 )

log 2 ( 2 x 2+3 x +5 ) =3 log 2 2+ log 2 ( x +1 )
log 2 ( 2 x 2+3 x +5 ) =log 2 23+ log 2 ( x +1 )
log 2 ( 2 x 2+3 x +5 ) =log 2 8 ( x+1 )
( 2 x 2+3 x +5 ) =8 ( x+ 1 )

f) log ( x +17 ) =2 log ( x−3 )

2
log ( x +17 ) =log ( x−3 )
( x +17 )= ( x −3 )2
 g) log 2 ( x 2−x +2 )=1+2 log2 x
log 2 ( x 2−x +2 )=log 2 2+ log 2 x 2
log 2 ( x 2−x +2 )=log 2 2 x 2
( x 2−x +2 )=2 x 2

h) log5 x=1−log5 (x−4)

log 5 x=log 5 5−log 5 ( x−4 )
5
log 5 x=log 5
( x−4 )
5
x=
( x−4 )

Past Paper Solutions

2012
1)
2x 9
3 − 2x
−8=0
3
2
( 32 x ) −8 ( 32 x ) −9=0
( 32 x −9 ) ( 32 x +1 ) =0
2x 2x
3 −9=0 3 +1=0
2x 2x
3 =9 3 =−1

When 32 x =9 When 32 x =−1 , x has no real solutions

2x 2
3 =3
Equating indices
2 x=2
∴ x=1 only

2)
a) 3
x =10
x−3

Taking lg❑
log 10 ( x 3 )=log 10 ( 10 x−3 )
3 log 10 x=( x−3 ) log 10 10
∴ 3 log 10 x= ( x −3 )
1
log 10 x= x−1
3

b)

1
log 10 x= x−1
3
is of the form of a straight line Y =mX +C , where
1
Y =log 10 x , m= , X=x
3
and C=−1. Hence, if log10 x vs x is drawn, a straight line
1
will be obtained with a gradient of 3 . A sketch of the graph would look
like

2013
3) 53 x−2=7x +2
Taking logs to the same base:
log ( 53 x−2) =log ( 7 x+2 )

By the power law of logs:

( 3 x−2 ) log 5=( x +2 ) log 7
Expanding:
3 x log 5−2 log 5=x log 7+2 log 7
3 x log 5−x log 7=2 log 5+2 log 7
x (3 log 5−log 7 ) =2 ( log 5+ log 7 )
x ( log 53−log 7 )=2 ( log 5+log 7 )
2 ( log 5+ log 7 )
x= 3
log 5 −log 7
 2 ( log 5+log 7 )
x= ∎
log 125−log 7

2015
4)
x+2 1
a) 16 =
4

(24) = 1 2
x +2

(2 )
4 x+8 −2
2 =2

Equating indices since the bases are equal, we obtain

4 x+ 8=−2
4 x=−10
1
x=−2
2

b) log3 ( x +2 ) +log3 ( x−1 )=log3 ( 6 x−8 )

log 3 { ( x +2 ) ( x−1 ) }=log 3 ( 6 x−8 )

Remove log 3 , we obtain

( x +2 ) ( x −1 )=6 x−8
2
x + x−2=6 x−8
2
x −5 x+ 6=0
( x−2 ) ( x−3 ) =0

Hence x=2 or x=3

2016
5) 22 x +1+5 ( 2 x )−3=0
22 x ×2+5 ( 2 x ) −3=0
x 2
2 ( 2 ) +5 ( 2 )−3=0
x

Let t=2 x
 2
2 t +5 t−3=0
( 2 t−1 )( t +3 )=0
1
t= or −3
2

Hence,
x 1
2= x
2 =−3
2
x
2 =2
−1
Taking lg
x
lg2 =lg (−3 ) which has no real values
Equating indices
x
x=−1 ∴ 2 ≠−3

6) Taking lg:

lgT =lg [ k p ]
h
c

h
c
lg T =lg k +lg p
lgT =lg k +
h
c []
lg p

[]
h
c
lg p=lg T −lg k
h lg T −lg k
=
c lg p
c lg p
=
h lg T −lg k
hlg p
c=
lg T −lg k
h
lg p
c=
lg
T
k []
7) log ( x +1 ) +log ( x−1 )=2 log ( x +2 )
log { ( x +1 ) ( x−1 ) }=log ( x +2 )
2

Remove log:
( x +1 ) ( x−1 )=( x +2 )2
2 2
x −1=( x +2 )
2 2
x −2=x + 4 x+ 4
4 x+ 4=−1
−5=4 x
 −5
x=
4

2017
8)
j)
−k
P= A x
Take lg:
lg P=lg ( A x −k )
−k
lg P=lg A+lg x
lg P=lg A−k lg x
lg P=−k lg x +lg A

2018
9)
i) V =k a
t

Taking lg:
lgV =lg ( k at )
t
lgV =lg k +lga
lgV =lg k +t lg a

This is of the form y=mx+c where y=lg V (a variable), m=lg a (a constant),

x=t (a variable) and c=lg k (a constant)

ii) lg V =( lg a ) t+lg k
The above diagram gives an indication of what the sketch may look like.
When y vs x is drawn, a straight line of gradient m is obtained and which
cuts the vertical axis at c . So, when the equivalent form of lgV vs t is
drawn, the straight line obtained will have a gradient of lg a. (The
intercept on the vertical axis will be lg k )

2019
10)
3 x
2 =( 2 ) =8
3x x 3x x
log 2 + log 8 =2
x x
log 8 + log 8 =2
x
2 log 8 =2
x
log 8 =1
1
x= ≈ 1.107
log 8

2021
11)
log 2 ( 6+ √ 12 ) −log 2 ( 3+ √ a ) =log 10 10

log 2
( 6+ √12
3+ √ a) =1

6+ √ 12
=26 + √ 12=2 ( 3+ √ a )
3+ √ a
6+ 2 √ a=6+ √ 12
2 √ a= √ 12
2 √ a= √ 4 √ 3
2 √ a=2 √ 3
√ a=√3
∴ a=3
Sequences and Series
A sequence is a string of numbers in a given order e.g. 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10. .

A series is the sum of a sequence e.g. 2+ 4+6+ 8+10. .

Finite and Infinite Sequence

Finite: Sequence given by a last term

Infinite: Sequence given without a last term

Types of Sequences
1) Arithmetic Progressions (AP)
2) Geometric Progressions (GP)

AP
Let 1st term be ‘a’
Let common difference be ‘d’

T n=a+ ( n−1 ) d

Sum of a Sequence
Sn- Let Sn be the sum of the sequence then

n
Sn= {2 a+ ( n−1 ) d }
2

Example 1
Given AP: 4,8,12. Find
a) 12th term
b) 15th term
c) First 10 terms

Example 2
Find 10th term and sum of 12 terms
a) AP: -2,0,2,4…
b) -12, -8, -4,0
c) 2,7,12
−1 1
d) 2 , 0 , 2
3 5 7
e) 4 , 4 , 4
f) -6, -9, -12

Example 3
Find the first term and the common difference.
a) 5th term = 17 12th term = 38
b) Sum of the first 4 terms is 4 and the 9th term is -25. Also, find S25
c) Sum of first 8th terms =184 12th term = 52
Example 4
Find the sum of all the numbers between 200 and 1000 exactly divisible
by 15

Example 5
A circle is divided into 6 unequal sectors. The angles are in AP. Given
that the largest angle is 3 times the smallest. Find each angle.

GP
Let 1st term be ‘a’
Let common ratio be ‘r’
n−1
T n=a r

Sum of a Sequence
Sn- Let Sn be the sum of the sequence then

a ( 1−r n )
Sn = ,r < 1
1−r
a ( r n−1 )
Sn = ,r > 1
r−1
a
S∞ =
1−r

Example 6
The 7th term of a geometric progression is 320 and its 12th term is
10,240.
a) Find for the geometric progression
i) Common ratio
ii) First term
b) Hence, find the sum of the first 12 terms of the geometric
progression.
Example 7
1 −1
The 5th term of a geometric progression is 2 and its 10th term is 64 .
a) Find for the geometric progression
k) Common ratio
ii) First term
b) Hence, find the sum of the first 20 terms of the geometric
progression.

Example 8
For each of the following geometric series, find the common ratio and
the sum to infinity
1
a) 3 , 1 , 3
1
b) −2 , 1,− 2

Past Paper Questions

2012

1) A customer repays a loan monthly by increasing the payment each

month by $ x. If the customer repaid $ 50 in the 5th month and $ 70 in
the 9th month, calculate the TOTAL amount of money repaid at the
end of the 24th month.

2013

2) Find the sum to infinity of the following series

1 2 1 2
+ + + +…
4 42 43 44
2014

3) A series is given by 0.2+0.02+0.002+ 0.0002+ …

i) Show that this is geometric
ii) Find the sum to infinity of this series, giving your answer as an
exact fraction

2015

4) An employee of a company is offered an annual starting salary of

$ 36000 which increases by $ 2400 per annum. Determine the annual
salary that the employee should receive in the ninth year.

2016
25

5) Evaluate ∑ 3−n
1

6) A man invested $ x in a company in January 2010, on which he

earns quarterly dividends. At the end of the second, third and
fourth quarter in 2011, he earned $ 100 , $ 115 and $ 130 respectively.
Calculate the total dividends on his investment by the end of 2016.

2017

7) An accountant is offered a five-year contract with an annual

increase. The accountant earned a salary of $ 53,982.80 and $ 60598.89
in the third and fifth years respectively. If the increase follows a
geometric series, calculate

i) The amount paid in the first year

ii) The TOTAL salary earned at the end of the contract.

2018
 8) In a geometric progression, the 3rd term is 25 and the sum of the 1st
and 2nd terms is 150. Determine the sum of the first four terms,
given that r >0 .

2019
2 3
y y y
9) A geometric series can be represented by + + + ….
x x 3 x5
Prove that
−1
S∞ =xy ( x − y )
2

2021 (Geometric)

10) Alice deposited $ 4000 into her new savings account at Bank
of Fortune which pays interest at 8% per annum. The bank’s
compounded interest is represented by the geometric progression
[ ] where
T
R
A=P 1+
100
A is the amount of money accumulated after T
years, R the
percentage rate of interest per annum and T , a positive
integer the time in years. Determine the number of years it would
take Alice’s money to at least triple.

2022

1 1
11) A series is given by 25−5+1− 5 + 25 …
i) Show tha t the series is geometric
ii) Calculate the sum to infinity of the series, giving the answer to 2
decimal places

12) A recent university graduate was offered a starting salary of

$ 720,000 for the first year, with increases of $ 5,000 at the start of
every year thereafter. Determine the number of years (to the
 nearest whole number) that it would take for her annual salary to
be 20% grater than her salary in the first year.

Example 1

a) 12th term
T 12=4+ ( 11) ( 4 )=48

b) 15th term
T 13=4 +14 ( 4 )=60

c) First 10 terms
10
S10= {2 ( 4 ) + 9 ( 4 ) }
2
¿ 5 { 44 }=220

Example 2

a)
a=−2 d=2

T 10=−2+9 ( 2 )=16

n
Sn= (2 a+ ( n−1 ) d )
2
S12=6 (2 (−2 )+ 11 ( 2 ))
¿ 6 (−4+22 ) =108

b)
a=−12 d=4
T 10=−12+9(4)
¿−12+ 36=24

S12=6 (−24+11 ( 4 ))
¿ 6 (−24 +44 )=120

c)
a=2 d=5

T n=a+ ( n−1 ) d
T 10=2+9 ( 5 )=47

S12=6 ( 4+11 ( 5 ) )=354

d)
−1 1
a= d= n=1
2 2

−1
T 10=
2
+9
1
2 ()
1 9
¿− + =4
2 2

(
S12=6 −1+11 ( 12 ))=27
 e)
3 1
a= d=
4 2

3 1
T 10= +
4 2
9 ()
3 9 21
¿ + =
4 2 4
3
S12=6 +11
2 ( ( ))
1
2

¿6 ( 32 + 112 )
¿ 6 ( )=42
14
2

f)
a=−6 d =−3

T 10=a+ ( n−1 ) d
¿ 6+ 9(−3)
−6−27=−33

S12=6 (−12+11 (−3 ) )

¿ 6 (−45 )=−270

Example 3

a)
a+ 4 d=17 (1)
a+ 11d=38 (2)

From (2) a=38−11d

38−11d +4 d=17
38−7 d=17
When d=3 substitute in (1)
a+ 4 ( 3 )=17
a+ 12=17
a=5

a=5 d=3

b)
n
Sn= (2 a+ ( n−1 ) d )
2
S4 =2 ( 2 a+3 d )
4=4 a+ 6 d (1)

a+ ( n−1 ) d=−25
a+ 8 d=−25 (2)

a=25−8 d

4=4 (−25−8 d ) +6 d
4=−100−32 d +6 d
104=−26 d
d=−4
a+ 8 (−4 )=−25
a−32=−25
a=7

25
S25= ( 2 ( 7 )+ 24 (−4 ) )=−1025
2

c)
S8 =4 (2 a+7 d )
184=8 a+ 28 d (1)

a+ 11d=53
From (2)
a=53−11 d

Substitute in (1)
184=8 ( 53−11 d )+ 28 d
184=424−88 d+ 28 d

60 d=240
d=4

Substitute d=4 in (2)

a+ 11 ( 4 )=53
a+ 44=53
a=9

Example 4

210, 225,990

a=210 d=15

Nth term ¿ a+ ( n−1 ) d

15 ( n−1 )+ 210=990
n=53

S53=31800

Example 5

a , a+ d , a+2 d , a+ 3 d , a+ 4 d , a+5 d

a+ 5 d=3 a
5 d=2 a (1)

S6 =360
6 a+ 15 d=360 (2)

d=12
5(12)
a= =30
2
30 ° , 42° , 54 ° ,66 ° , 78 ° , 90 °
Example 6

a)
i) Given
6
ar =320 (2)
11
a r =10240 (1)

(2)÷(1)
11
ar 10240
6
=
ar 320
5
r =32
r =2

ii) Substitute r =2 into (1)

6
a r =320
64 a=320
a=5

b)
a ( r n−1 )
Sn = ,r > 1
r−1
5 ( 212−1 )
S12=
2−1
¿ 20475

Example 7

a)
i) Given
4 1
ar =
2
9 −1
ar =
64

(2)÷ ( 1 )
 −1
9
ar 64
=
ar
4
1
2
5 −1
r=
32
−1
r=
2
−1
ii) Substitute r = 2 into (1)
41
ar =
2
a 1
=
16 2
2 a=16
a=8

b) H
a ( 1−r n )
Sn = ,r < 1
1−r

[ ( )]
20
−1
8 1−
2
S20=
1−
−1
2 ( )
16
¿
3

Example 8

a)
1
a=3 r=
3

a
S∞ =
1−r
3
¿
1
1−
3
9
¿
2
 b)
−1
a=−2 r=
2

a
S∞ =
1−r
−2
¿
1− ( )
−1
2
4
¿−
3

Past Paper Solutions

2012
1) Arithmetic progression with first term a and common difference x
Let
a+ 4 x=50 (1)
a+ 8 x=70(2)

(2) - (1)
4 x=20
x=5

When x=5, substitute into (1)

a+ 4 ( 5 )=50
a=30

Hence, the 1st payment is a=$ 30 and the common difference x=$ 5 which
is t1he increase in payment each month. The amount paid in total at the
end of the 24th month is the sum of the first 24 terms of the arithmetic
progression.
Recall:
n
Sn = { 2 a+ ( n−1 ) d }
2
24
∴ S 24= { 2 ( 30 ) + ( 24−1 ) 5 }
2
S24=$ 2100

2013
2) The series can be rewritten as the sum of two separate series
[ 1 1 1
+ + +…
4 43 4 5 ] [
and
2 2 2
2
+ 4 + 6 +…
4 4 4 ], both which are geometric series.
Let us first consider the first geometric series
1 1 1
+ + +…
4 43 45
1 1
a= , r= 2
4 4
In this geometric progression |r|<1. Hence,
 a
S∞ =
1−r
1
4
¿
1
1− 2
4
4
¿
15

Let us consider the second geometric series

2 2 2
2
+ 4 + 6 +…
4 4 4
2 1
a= 2 , r= 2
4 4
This is also a geometric progression with |r|<1.

a
S∞ =
1−r
2
2
4
¿
1
1− 2
4
2
¿
15

1 2 1 2
∴ The sum to infinity of the given series + + + +…
4 42 43 44
¿
[
1 1 1
][
2 2 2
+ 3 + 5 +… + 2 + 4 + 6 +…
4 4 4 4 4 4 ]
4 2 6
¿ + =
15 15 15
2
¿
5

2014
3)
i) No of term. 1 2 3 4
Term 0.2 0.02 0.002 0.0002
−1 −2 −3
0.2 ×10 0.2 ×10 0.2 ×10
2 3
a ar ar ar
 −1
a=0.2 r =10
Hence, the series is a geometric progression with 1st term a=0.2 and the
common ratio r =10−1
a
ii) Sum to infinity of the geometric series S∞ = 1−r ,|r|< 1
0.2
∴ S ∞= −1
1−10
0.2
¿
0.9
2
S∞ =
9
(as a fraction in exact form)

2015
4) The annual salary is an AP with the first term a=$ 36000 and the
common difference d=$ 2400

The nth term T n=a+ ( n−1 ) d

T 9=36000+ ( 9−1 ) 2400
T 9=55200

2016
−n 1
5) When n=1 ,3 = 3
1
−n
When n=2 ,3 2
=
3
−n 1
When n=3 ,3 = 3
3

25
1 1 1 1
∴ ∑ 3−n = + 2 + 3 + …+ 25
1 3 3 3 3

() () ()
2 24
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
¿ + + + …+
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
1 1
This is a GP with first term a= 3 , common ratio 3 and number of terms
n=25
a ( 1−r n )
Sn = for |r|<1
1−r
 ( ())
25
1 1
1−
3 3
S25=
1
1−
3

( ())
25
1 1
¿ 1−
2 3

6)
Year 2nd quarter 3rd quarter 4th quarter
2011 $100 $115 $130

This is an AP with common difference d=15. From January 2010 to the

end of 2016, there are 7 × 4=28 quarters. As a result, 100 is therefore the 6th
term.
T n=a+ ( n−1 ) d
100=a+ ( 6−1 ) ×15
a=25

Hence, in the AP, a=25 , d=15 and n=28

n
Sn = { 2 a+ ( n−1 ) d }
2
28
S28= [ 2 ×25+ ( 28−1 ) 15 ]
2
S28=14 (50+ 405 ) =6370

2017
7)
i) T n=a r
n−1

3−1
T 3=a r
2
a r =53982.80
And
5−1
T 5=a r
4
a r =60598.89

T 5 a r4
=
T 3 a r2
 2 60598.89
r=
53982.80

Recall a r 2 =53982.80
53982.80
a= 2
r
53982.80
a=
60598.89
53982.80
a=48089.04

ii) The amount paid at the end of the 5 year contract is the sum of
the first 5 terms of the GP

r=
√ 60598.89
53982.80
=1.06

a ( r n−1 )
Sn = ,|r|>1
r−1
48089.04 ( 1.065−1 )
S5 =
1.06−1
48089.04 ( 1.33823−1 )
¿
0.06
¿ 271085.93

2018
8) T 3=a r 2=25 (data)
T 1=aand T 2=ar
So a+ ar=150 (data)

Let a r 2 =25 (1)

a+ ar=150 (2)

25
From (1): a= r 2

Substitute into (2):

25 25
2
+ 2 ( r )=150
r r
2
×r
2
25+25 r =150 r
2
1+r =6 r
2
6 r −r−1=0
−1 1
r= ∨
3 2

1 1
r >0 (data), so r = 2 . Substitute r = 2 in (1):

()
2
1
a =25
2
a=100

a ( 1−r n )
Sn = ,|r|<1
1−r

( ( ))
4
1
100 1−
2
So S4 =
1
1−
2
S4 =200 1− ( 1
16 )
1
S4 =187
2

2019
9)
a
Recall S∞ = 1−r |r|<1

r=
y
x
2 assuming ||
y
x2
<1

S∞ =
( yx ) ×
x2

( xy )
2
x
1− 2

xy
¿
(x −y)
2

−1
¿ xy ( x − y ) ∎
2
2021
10)
P=$ 4000
R=8 %
A=4000 ×3=12000

( )
T
R
A=P 1+
100
12000=4000 (1+
100 )
T
8

( 1.08 )T =3
T
lg (1.08 ) =lg 3
T lg 1.08=lg 3
lg3
T=
lg1.08
T =14.3 years
T =15 years since T is a positive integer

2022
11)
−5 −1
i) r=
25
=
5
1 −1
r= =
−5 5
−1
5 −1
r= =
1 5

First term ¿ 25
1
Common ratio ¿− 5

a
ii) S∞ =
1−r
25
¿
1− ( )
−1
5
5
¿ 20
6
S∞ =20.83

12)
a=$ 720,000
d=$ 5000

20 % of $ 720,000=$ 144,000
nth year¿ $ 720,000+144,000=$ 864,000

nth=a+ ( n−1 ) d
720,000+ ( n−1 ) ( 5,000 )=864,000
( n−1 ) 5,000=144,000
5,000 n=149,000
149,000
n= =29.8 years
5,000
∴ n=30 years
Coordinate Geometry
Past Paper Questions

2012

1) The equation of a circle is given by x 2+ y 2−4 x+6 y=87

i) A line has equation x + y +1=0. Show that this line passes through
the center of the circle
ii) Find the equation of the tangent to the circle at the point A (−6 , 3 )

2013

2) A circle C has center with coordinates A ( 2 ,1 ) and passes through the

point B (10 ,7 )
i) Express the equation of the circle in the form x 2+ y 2+ hx+ gy + k=0 ,
where h , gand k are integers to be determined
ii) The line l is a tangent to the circle C at the point B. Find an
equation for l

2014

3)
i) Determine the value of k such that the lines x +3 y=6 and
kx +2 y=12 are perpendicular to each other
ii) A circle of radius 5cm has as its center the point of intersection
of the two perpendicular lines in (i). Determine the equation for
this circle

2015
 4) The equation of a circle is given by x 2+ y 2−12 x −22 y +152=0
i) Determine the coordinates of the center of the circle
ii) Find the length of the radius
iii) Determine the equation of the normal to the circle at the point
( 4 , 10 )

2016

5)
i) The points M ( 3 ,2 ) and N (−1 , 4 ) are the ends of a diameter of circle
C . Determine the equation of circle C
ii) Find the equation of the tangent to the circle C at the point
P (−1 ,6 )

2017

6) A circle C has an equation x 2+ y 2+ 4 x−2 y−20=0

i) Express the equation in the form ( x +f )2+ ( y + g )2=r 2
ii) State the coordinates of the center and the value of the radius of
circle C
iii) Determine the points of intersection of circle C and the equation
y=4−x

2018

7)
i) Determine the equation of the circle that has center ( 5 ,−2 ) and
passes through the origin
ii) Determine whether the following pair of lines is parallel
x + y=4
3 x−2 y=−3

2019

8) A circle with center ( 1 ,−1 ) passes through the point ( 4 , 3 )

 i) Calculate the radius of the circle
ii) Write the equation of the circle in the form x 2+ y 2+ 2 fx+2 gy + c=0
iii) Determine the equation of the tangent to the circle at the point
( 4 , 3)

2021

9) The coordinates for the center of a circle is ( 2 , 1 ) and the coordinates

for a point on its circumference is ( 3 , 3 )
i) Determine the equation of the circle in the form x 2+ y 2+ ax+ by +c=0
ii) The circle intersects the x and y axes at three points. Determine
the coordinates of the three points of intersection
iii) Determine the equation of the tangent to the circle at the point
( 3 , 3)

2022

10) The equation of a circle is x 2+ y 2+ 4 x−8 y +10=0

i) Determine the coordinates of its center AND the length of the
radius of the circle
ii) Determine the equation of the tangent to the circle at the point
P (−5 ,5 )

Past Paper Solutions

2012
1)
i) Rewriting the equation as 2 2
x −4 x+ 4+ y +6 y+ 9=100

From the above equation, we know the centre of the circle lies at ( 2 ,−3 ).
To prove the point lies on the line x + y +1=0, we substitute x=2 and y=−3
in the equation x + y +1=0
2+ (−3 )+1=0
0=0 (True)

lies on the line. Hence, the line x + y +1=0 passes through the centre
∴ ( 2 ,−3 )
of the given circle. A sketch of the circle and the line looks like:

ii)

Let the centre of the circle be C

3−(−3 ) −3
The gradient of the radius AC=
−6−2
=
4
 4
The gradient of the tangent at A=
3

The equation of the tangent at A is

y −3 4
=
x−(−6 ) 3
3 y−9=4 x+ 24
3 y=4 x +33

2013
2)
i)

The length of the radius ¿ √ ( 10−2 )2 + ( 7−1 )2=10 units

The center of the circle is ( 2 , 1 )
∴ Equation of the circle
( x−2 )2 + ( y−1 )2=102
2 2
x −4 x+ 4+ y −2 y+1=100
2 2
x + y −4 x−2 y−95=0

ii)
To find the equation of l, we need
a) A point on l
b) The gradient of l

7−1 3 −4
Gradient of AB= 10−2 = 4 , Gradient of l= 3
Equation of l :
y−7 −4
=
x−10 3
3 ( y−7 )=−4 ( x−10 )
3 y−21=−4 x + 40
3 y=−4 x +61

2014
3)
i) Let us consider the line with equation x +3 y=6

3 y=−x +6
−1 −1
y= x +2 m=
3 3

kx +2 y=12
2 y=−kx+12
−k −k
y= x+ 6 m=
2 2

Hence,
−1 k
3
×− =−1
2
(the product of the gradient of perpendicular lines = -1)
k
=−1
6
k =−6

ii)
x +3 y=6 (1)
−6 x +2 y=12 (2)

From (2):
−6 x +2 y=12
2 y=12+6 x
y=3 x +6

Substitute y=3 x +6 into (1)

x +3 ( 6 x+3 x )=6
x +18+9 x=6
10 x=−12
1
x=−1
5

1
When x=−1 5
y=6+3 −1
[ ]1
5
2
¿2
5

∴ Centre (−1 51 , 2 25 )

The equation of the circle with center ( h , k ) and radius r is

( x−h )2+ ( y−k )2=r 2
 ( ( )) ( )
2
1 2 2 2
¿ x− −1 + y −2 = (5 )
5 5

( )( )
2 2
6 12 2
¿ x+ + y− = (5 )
5 5
2 12 36 2 24 144
¿ x + x+ + y − y+ =25
5 25 5 25
×25
2 2
25 x + 25 y +60 x−120 y +36+ 144=625
2 2
25 x + 25 y +60 x−120 y =445
2 2
25 x + 25 y +60 x−120 y −445=0

2015
4)
i)
Rewriting the equation as x 2−12 x+36 + y 2−22 y+ 121=5. Expressing the
equation in standard form is ( x−6 )2+ ( y−11)2=5 , so the circle has a center at
( 6 , 11)

ii)
The length of the radius ¿ √ (−6 )2 + (−11 )2−( 152 )
¿ √ 36+121−152
¿ √ 5 units

iii)

Let the center of the circle be ( 6 , 11)

Let P be the point ( 4 , 10 )
11−10 1
The gradient of CP= 6−4 = 2
The equation of the normal to the circle at P is
y−10 1
=
x−4 2
2 y−20=x−4
2 y=x +16
1
y= x +8
2

2016
5)
i)

The coordinates of the centre will be ( −1+3

2
,
2 )
4 +2
= (1 , 3 )

The length of the diameter ¿ √ ( 3− (−1 ) )2+ ( 2−4 )2

¿ √ 20=2 √ 5 units

The length of the radius is 2√ =√ 5 units

2 5

The equation of the circle is ( x−1 )2 + ( y−3 )2=( √ 5 )2

2 2
x −2 x+1+ y −6 y +9−5=0
2 2
x + y −2 x−6 y +5=0

ii) Let the center of the circle be X

3−4 −1
∴ The gradient of the radius XN = 1−(−1 ) = 2
The gradient of the tangent at N=2

Using P as (−1 , 4 )
y−4
=2
x−(−1 )
Equation of the tangent at (−1.4 )is y−4=2 ( x+1 )
y−4=2 x+2
y=2 x +6

2017
6)
i) 2 2
x + y + 4 x−2 y−20=0
2 2
x + 4 x + y −3 y −20=0
( x +2 )2−4+ ( y−1 )2−1−20=0
( x +2 )2+ ( y−1 )2=( 5 )2

ii)

∴ The center of the circle is (−2 , 1 ) and the radius is √ ( 5 )2=5 units

iii) To determine the points of intersection of C and y=4−x , we

solve both equations simultaneously
Substitute y=4−x into the equation of the circle
2 2 2
( x +2 ) + ( 4−x−1 ) − (5 ) =0
( x +2 )2+ ( 3−x )2−25=0
2 2
x + 4 x + 4+9−6 x+ x −25=0
2
2 x −2 x−12=0
÷2
2
x −x−6=0
( x−3 )( x +2 )=0
∴ x=3∨−2

When x=3
y=4−3=1
When x=−2
y=4−(−2 )=6

∴ The points of intersection are ( 3 , 1 ) and (−2 , 6 )

2018
7)
i)

The equation of a circle with centre ( h , k ) and radius r is given by

( x−h )2+ ( y−k )2=r 2

The radius of the circle ¿ √ ( 5−0 )2+ (−2−0 )2 =√29

The equation of the circle is ( x−5 )2 + ( y +2 )2=29

ii)
x + y=4 3 x−2 y=−3
y=− x+ 4 2 y=3 x +3
3
m=−1 y= x +1
2
3
m=
2
3
−1 ≠
2
The gradient of the lines are not the same and so they are not parallel
since parallel lines have equal gradients.

2019
8)
i) ( x−h )2+ ( y−k )2=r 2
( x−1 )2 + ( y +1 )2=r 2
( 4−1 )2 + ( 3+1 )2 =r 2
2
r =9+16
2
r =25
r =5

ii)
( x−1 )2 + ( y +1 )2=52
2 2
x −2 x+1+ y +2 y +1−25=0
2 2
x + y −2 x+2 y−24=0

iii)
y 2− y 1
m=
x 2−x 1
3− (−1 ) 4
m= =
4−1 3

−3
The gradient of the tangent is 4
y− y 1=m ( x−x 1 )
−3
y−3= ( x−4 )
4
−3
y−3= x +3
4
−3
y= x+6
4

2021
9)
i)
Length ¿ √ ( x 2−x 1 )2+ ( y 2− y 1 )2
r =√ (3−2 ) + ( 3−1 )
2 2

r =√ 1 + ( 2 )
2 2

r =√ 5

C ( 2 , 1) r =√ 5
2
( x−2 ) + ( y−1 ) =( √ 5 )
2 2

2 2
x −4 x+ 4+ y −2 y+1=5
2 2
x + y −4 x−2 y=0

ii) x axis ( y=0 )

2 2
x + y −4 x−2 y=0
When y=0
2
x −4 x=0
x ( x −4 )=0
x=0 or x−4=0
x=4
( 0 , 0) and ( 4 , 0 )

y axis ( x=0 )
2 2
x + y −4 x−2 y=0
When x=0
2
y −2 y=0
y ( y−2 ) =0
y=0 or y−2=0
y=2
(0 , 0) and (0 , 2)

The coordinates of the three points of intersection are ( 0 , 0 ) ,(4 , 0) and (0 , 2)

iii)
 y 2− y 1
Gradient ¿ x −x
2 1

3−1
¿ =2
3−2

1
Gradient of tangent ¿− 2 Point ( 3 , 3 )
−1
y= x +c
2
−1
3= (3 )+ c
2
9
c=
2

−1 9
y= x+
2 2
2 y=−x +9
2 y + x=9

2022
10)
i) ( x +2 )2−4+ ( y−4 )2−16+10=0

( x +2 )2+ ( y−4 )2−10=0

( x +2 )2+ ( y−4 )2=10

Centre of circle is (−2 , 4 )

Radius ¿ √ 10 units

ii)
 y 2− y 1
Gradient of CP= x −x
2 1
5−4 −1
¿ =
−5−(−2) 3

Gradient of tangent ¿ 3 and P (−5 ,5 )

y=3 x +c
5=3 (−5 )+ c
c=20

Equation of tangent
y=3 x +20