0606 P11 - Jun 2025 - Q8 - 7 marks
7110
(a) Write down the set of values of \(x\) for which \(\log_5(12x-4)\) exists.
(b) Solve the equation \(\log_5(12x-4)=\frac{6}{\log_x125}+1\).
Solution
Answer: (a) \(x\gt \frac13\). (b) \(x=\frac25\) or \(x=2\).
For \(\log_5(12x-4)\) to exist,
\(12x-4\gt 0.\)
Therefore
\(x\gt \frac13.\)
Now use change of base:
\(\log_x125=\frac{\log_5 125}{\log_5 x}=\frac{3}{\log_5 x}.\)
So
\(\frac{6}{\log_x125}=2\log_5 x.\)
The equation becomes
\(\log_5(12x-4)=2\log_5 x+1.\)
Since \(1=\log_5 5\),
\(2\log_5 x+1=\log_5(x^2)+\log_5 5=\log_5(5x^2).\)
Thus
\(\log_5(12x-4)=\log_5(5x^2),\)
so
\(12x-4=5x^2.\)
Hence
\(5x^2-12x+4=0.\)
Factorising,
\((5x-2)(x-2)=0.\)
Therefore
\(x=\frac25\quad\text{or}\quad x=2.\)
Both satisfy the required logarithm domains.