0606 P22 - Nov 2022 - Q4 - 5 marks
7899
Solve the equation
\(\log_3(11x-8)=1+\frac{2}{\log_x3},\)
given that \(x\gt 1\).
Solution
Answer: \(x=\frac83\).
Answer: \(x=\frac83\).
Use the identity
\(\log_x3=\frac1{\log_3x}.\)
Therefore
\(\frac{2}{\log_x3}=2\log_3x.\)
The equation becomes
\(\log_3(11x-8)=1+2\log_3x.\)
Since \(1=\log_33\), the right-hand side is
\(\log_33+ \log_3x^2=\log_3(3x^2).\)
Hence
\(\log_3(11x-8)=\log_3(3x^2).\)
So
\(11x-8=3x^2.\)
Rearranging gives
\(3x^2-11x+8=0.\)
Factorising,
\((3x-8)(x-1)=0.\)
Thus \(x=\frac83\) or \(x=1\). Since the question gives \(x\gt 1\), and \(\log_x3\) is not defined for \(x=1\), the solution is
\(x=\frac83.\)