0606 P11 - Nov 2019 - Q3 - 5 marks
8323
Given that
\(7^x\times49^y=1\)
and
\(5^{5x}\times125^{\frac23y}=\frac1{25},\)
calculate the value of \(x\) and of \(y\).
Solution
Answer: \(x=-\frac12\), \(y=\frac14\).
First write each equation using a single base.
Since \(49=7^2\),
\(7^x\times49^y=7^x\times(7^2)^y=7^{x+2y}.\)
So
\(x+2y=0.\)
Also, \(125=5^3\) and \(\frac1{25}=5^{-2}\). Hence
\(5^{5x}\times125^{\frac23y}=5^{5x}\times(5^3)^{\frac23y}=5^{5x+2y}.\)
So
\(5x+2y=-2.\)
Now solve the simultaneous equations
\(x+2y=0,\qquad 5x+2y=-2.\)
Subtracting the first equation from the second gives
\(4x=-2,\)
so
\(x=-\frac12.\)
Then \(x+2y=0\) gives
\(-\frac12+2y=0,\)
so
\(y=\frac14.\)
Therefore
\(\boxed{x=-\frac12,\quad y=\frac14}.\)