(i) Solve the equation \(2|x - 1| = 3|x|\).
(ii) Hence solve the equation \(2|5^x - 1| = 3|5^x|\), giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
Solution
(i) Consider the equation \(2|x - 1| = 3|x|\). This can be split into two cases:
Case 1: \(2(x - 1) = 3x\)
\(2x - 2 = 3x\)
\(-2 = x\)
Case 2: \(2(1 - x) = 3x\)
\(2 - 2x = 3x\)
\(2 = 5x\)
\(x = \frac{2}{5}\)
Thus, the solutions are \(x = -2\) and \(x = \frac{2}{5}\).
(ii) For the equation \(2|5^x - 1| = 3|5^x|\), we use the same approach:
Case 1: \(2(5^x - 1) = 3(5^x)\)
\(2 \cdot 5^x - 2 = 3 \cdot 5^x\)
\(-2 = 5^x\)
Case 2: \(2(1 - 5^x) = 3(5^x)\)
\(2 - 2 \cdot 5^x = 3 \cdot 5^x\)
\(2 = 5 \cdot 5^x\)
\(5^x = \frac{2}{5}\)
Taking logarithms, \(x = \log_5\left(\frac{2}{5}\right)\)
Using a calculator, \(x \approx 0.569\) to 3 significant figures.
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