Past Papers’ Solutions | Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) | AS & A level | Mathematics 9709 | Pure Mathematics 2 (P2-9709/02) | Year 2003 | Oct-Nov | (P2-9709/02) | Q#2
Question
Two variable quantities x and y are related by the equation
where a and k are constants.
Four pairs of values of x and y are measured experimentally. The result of plotting ln y against x is shown in the diagram. Use the diagram to estimate the values of a and k.
Solution
We are given the equation;
It is evident that it is an exponential equation but it is plotted in logarithmic form and, therefore, we can write it in logarithmic form as follows.
Taking natural logarithm of both sides;
We can rearrange the equation as;
Slope-Intercept form of the equation of the line;
Where is the slope of the line.
Comparing the obtained equation with slope-Intercept form of the equation of the line;
We have expressions for both slope and intercept of the given line.
We can also find both slope and intercept from the given graph and equate with these expressions. First we deal with intercept of the line.
From the graph we can see that y-intercept of the line;
Taking inverse logarithm of both sides;
and
are inverse functions. The composite function
is an identity function, with domain the positive real numbers. Therefore;
Therefore;
Next we deal with slope of the line.
Expression for slope of a line joining points and
;
We can find coordinates of two points on the line from graph as and
. Therefore;
Hence;
Taking inverse logarithm of both sides;
and
are inverse functions. The composite function
is an identity function, with domain the positive real numbers. Therefore;
Therefore;
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