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7. (a) Evaluate $\log_2 5 + \log_2 \frac{1}{40}$ - Scottish Highers Maths - Question 7 - 2023

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7.-(a)-Evaluate-$\log_2-5-+-\log_2-\frac{1}{40}$-Scottish Highers Maths-Question 7-2023.png

7. (a) Evaluate $\log_2 5 + \log_2 \frac{1}{40}$. (b) Given that $a \in \mathbb{R}$ and that $\log_a u$ is negative, state the range of possible values of $a$.

Worked Solution & Example Answer:7. (a) Evaluate $\log_2 5 + \log_2 \frac{1}{40}$ - Scottish Highers Maths - Question 7 - 2023

Step 1

Evaluate $\log_2 5 + \log_2 \frac{1}{40}$

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Answer

To evaluate the expression, we can use the properties of logarithms. The property states that the sum of logarithms can be combined into a single logarithm:

logbx+logby=logb(xy)\log_b x + \log_b y = \log_b (x \cdot y)

Applying this, we get:

log25+log2140=log2(5140)=log2(540)=log2(18)\log_2 5 + \log_2 \frac{1}{40} = \log_2 \left( 5 \cdot \frac{1}{40} \right) = \log_2 \left( \frac{5}{40} \right) = \log_2 \left( \frac{1}{8} \right)

Next, we recognize that ( \frac{1}{8} = 2^{-3} ), which means:

log2(18)=log2(23)=3\log_2 \left( \frac{1}{8} \right) = \log_2 (2^{-3}) = -3

Thus, the final answer is:

3-3

Step 2

Given that $a \in \mathbb{R}$ and that $\log_a u$ is negative, state the range of possible values of $a$.

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Answer

For the logarithm logau\log_a u to be negative, the base aa must be determined. The logarithm is negative when:

  1. 0<u<10 < u < 1 with a>1a > 1.
  2. u>1u > 1 with 0<a<10 < a < 1.

Therefore, the possible ranges for aa are:

0<a<1 or a>10 < a < 1 \text{ or } a > 1

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