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June 2010 p31 q3
1573
The variables x and y satisfy the equation xny = C, where n and C are constants. When x = 1.10, y = 5.20, and when x = 3.20, y = 1.05.
(i) Find the values of n and C.
(ii) Explain why the graph of ln y against ln x is a straight line.
Solution
\((i) Start with the equation xny = C. Taking natural logarithms on both sides gives:\)
\(n \ln x + \ln y = \ln C\)
Substitute the given values:
\(For x = 1.10, y = 5.20:\)
\(n \ln(1.10) + \ln(5.20) = \ln C\)
\(For x = 3.20, y = 1.05:\)
\(n \ln(3.20) + \ln(1.05) = \ln C\)
Solving these two equations simultaneously, we find:
\(n = 1.50\)
Substitute back to find \(C\):
\(C = 6.00\)
(ii) The equation \(n \ln x + \ln y = \ln C\) is linear in \(\ln y\) and \(\ln x\), which means the graph of \(\ln y\) against \(\ln x\) is a straight line.