18  Numbers and Logarithms

18 Numbers and 4. log25 y – 2 = (log5 x – 0) [1M]

Logarithms log25 y = 2 – 2 log5 x

= 2 – 2 log5 x [1M]

Conventional Questions
= 2 – 2 log5 x
Instant Practice 1
log5 y = 4 – 4 log5 x
1. log9 y – 2 = (log27 x – 0) [1M]
log5 y = log5 54 – 4 log5 x
log9 y = 2 – 2 log27 x y = 625x–4 [1A]
=2– [1M]

5. log4 y – 0 = (log16 x – 3) [1M]

=2– log3 x
log4 y = log16 x + 2
log3 y = 4 – log3 x
log4 y = +2 [1M]
log3 y = log3 34 – log3 x

log4 y = log4 x + log4 42

y= [1A]

y = 16x [1A]

2. log8 y – 0 = (log4 x – 3) [1M]

Instant Practice 2
log8 y = log4 x – 1 1. x-intercept of G is .

= –1 [1M] ` +a=0 [1M]

–3 logb 7 + a = 0 ……(1)
= –1
G passes through the point (49, 5).
log2 y = –3 + log2 x ` logb 49 + a = 5 [1M]
2 logb 7 + a = 5 ……(2)
log2 y = log2 2–3 + log2 x
On solving (1) and (2),
a = 3, logb 7 = 1
y= [1A]
b=7 [1A]
` y = 3 + log7 x
log7 x = y – 3
3. log125 y – 2 = (log25 x – 0) [1M]
x = 7y – 3 [1A]
log125 y = 2 + log25 x
2. x-intercept of G is 4.
=2+ [1M] ` logb 4 + a = 0 [1M]
2 logb 2 + a = 0 ……(1)
=2+ log5 x G passes through the point (32, 3).
` logb 32 + a = 3 [1M]
log5 y = 6 + log5 x 5 logb 2 + a = 3 ……(2)
On solving (1) and (2),
log5 y = log5 56 + log5 x a = –2, logb 2 = 1
b=2 [1A]
y = 15 625 [1A] ` y = –2 + log2 x
log2 x = y + 2
x = 2y + 2 [1A]
131
HKDSE Exam Series — Master 1, Tackle 5 Hot Question Types for Mathematics (Compulsory Part) Solution Guide

3. x-intercept of G is 625. Muitiple-choice Questions

` logb 625 + a = 0 [1M] Instant Practice 3
4 logb 5 + a = 0 ……(1) 1. log 20162019 = 2019 log 2016 ≈ 6671.7664
G passes through the point (125, 2). log 20172018 = 2018 log 2017 ≈ 6668.8965
` logb 125 + a = 2 [1M] log 20182017 = 2017 log 2018 ≈ 6666.0260
3 logb 5 + a = 2 ……(2) log 20192016 = 2016 log 2019 ≈ 6663.1548
On solving (1) and (2), log 20162019 > log 20172018 > log 20182017 > log 20192016
a = 8 and logb 5 = –2
2019 2018 2017 2016
` 2016 > 2017 > 2018 > 2019
1 The answer is D.
b= [1A]

`y=8+ 2. log 135351 = 351 log 135 ≈ 747.7472

=y–8 log 153315 = 315 log 153 ≈ 688.1778
y–8
log 513153 = 153 log 513 ≈ 414.6480
x= log 531135 = 135 log 531 ≈ 367.8878
log 135351 > log 153315 > log 513153 > log 531135
351 315 153 135
x= [1A] ` 135 > 153 > 513 > 531
The answer is A.
4. x-intercept of G is 81.
` logb 81 + a = 0 [1M] 3. log 4001600 = 1600 log 400 ≈ 4163.2960
log 8001200 = 1200 log 800 ≈ 3483.7080
4 logb 3 + a = 0 ……(1)
log 1200400 = 400 log 1200 ≈ 1231.6725
G passes through the point (27, 1).
log 1600800 = 800 log 1600 ≈ 2563.2960
` logb 27 + a = 1 [1M]
log 4001600 > log 8001200 > log 1600800 > log 1200400
3 logb 3 + a = 1 ……(2) 1600 1200 800 400
` 400 > 800 > 1600 > 1200
On solving (1) and (2),
The answer is C.
a = 4 and logb 3 = –1

b = [1A] 4. log 415541 = 541 log 415 ≈ 1416.3640

log 451514 = 514 log 451 ≈ 1364.2467
` y = 4 + log x
log 514451 = 451 log 514 ≈ 1222.6444
log x = y – 4 log 541415 = 415 log 541 ≈ 1134.2769
log 415541 > log 451514 > log 514451 > log 541415
x = 34 – y [1A] 541 514 451 415
` 415 > 451 > 514 > 541
The answer is A.
5. x-intercept of G is 25.
` logb 25 + a = 0 [1M]
5. Let 939391300 = 3k.
2 logb 5 + a = 0 ……(1)
1300 log 93939 = k log 3
G passes through the point (625, 4).
logb 625 + a = 4 [1M] k=
4 logb 5 + a = 4 ……(2)
≈ 13550
On solving (1) and (2), 1300 13550
` 93939 ≈ 3
a = –4 and logb 5 = 2
The answer is B.
b= [1A]
` y = –4 +
=y+4
x=

x= [1A]

132
18  Numbers and Logarithms

Instant Practice 4
4.
1. = –1
From (1), we have
= x = 3 + log4 y ……(3)
Substituting (3) into (2), we have
6(log x – 1) = (4 – log x)(log x + 1)
(3 + log4 y)2 – 5(2 log4 y) – 6 = 0
6 log x – 6 = –(log x)2 + 3 log x + 4
(log x) + 3 log x – 10 = 0
2 9 + 6 log4 y + (log4 y)2 – 10 log4 y – 6 = 0
log x = –5 or 2 (log4 y)2 – 4 log4 y + 3 = 0
log4 y = 3 or log4 y = 1
log = –log x = 5 or –2
y = 43 = 64 or y = 41 = 4
The answer is A. The answer is C.

2. = –2 5.

= From (1), we have

x = 1 – log9 y ……(3)
5(log x – 1) = (2 log x + 1)(5 – 2 log x) Substituting (3) into (2), we have
5 log x – 5 = –4(log x)2 + 8 log x + 5 2(1 – log9 y)2 + 5 log9 y = 5
4(log x)2 – 3 log x – 10 = 0 2 – 4 log9 y + 2(log9 y)2 + 5 log9 y = 5
log x = 2 or 2(log9 y)2 + log9 y – 3 = 0

log9 y = or log9 y = 1
log = –log x = –2 or

The answer is A. y= = or y = 91 = 9

The answer is D.

3.
Instant Practice 5
From (1), we have Since the graphs of y = bx and y = cx are both going
1.
upwards.
x = 1 + log4 y ……(3)
b > 1 and c > 1
Substituting (3) into (2), we have
` bc > 1
2(log4 y)2 = 3(1 + log4 y) – 1
II is true.
2(log4 y)2 – 3 log4 y – 2 = 0
When x > 0, bx > cx.
log4 y = or log4 y = 2 ` b > c
I is true.
y= or y = 42 Let a be the y-coordinate of A, where a > 1.
y= or y = 16 Then the x-coordinates of B and C are logb a and logc a
respectively.
The answer is C. ` AB = logb a and AC = logc a

= (logc a)

= logc b
III is true.
The answer is D.

133
HKDSE Exam Series — Master 1, Tackle 5 Hot Question Types for Mathematics (Compulsory Part) Solution Guide

AB = logb a
2. The graphs of y = and y = bx are both going
AC = –logc a
downwards.
` c > 1 and 0 < b < 1 =
I.e. c > b
From the figure, we have AB < AC for a > 1.
I is true.

When x > 0, bx < . logb a <

(bc)x < 1 1<

` bc < 1
II is true. Since b > 1 and 0 < c < 1, we have logb c < 0
Let a be the y-coordinate of A, where a > 1. ` logb c > –1

Then the x-coordinates of B and C are logb a and logc > –1

respectively. log c + log b > 0

` bc > 1
` AB = –logb a and AC = –logc = logc a
II is true.
= The answer is D.

MC Shortcut
= (logc a) Consider the cases (b, c) = (3, 0.5) and (b, c) = (3, 0.2)
and check in which case the graphs satisfy AB < AC.
= –logc b

= logc
4. The graph of y = is going downwards while the graph
III is true.
of y = b is going upwards.
x
The answer is D.
` c > 1 and b > 1
Guidelines ` bc > 1
Note that logb a < 0 and logc < 0, we have II is true.
Let a be the y-coordinate of A, where 0 < a < 1.
AB = 0 – logb a = –logb a and AC = logc a.
Then the x-coordinates of B and C are logb a and logc
respectively.
The graph of y = cx is going downwards while the graph
3.
of y = bx is going upwards. AB = –logb a and AC = logc = –logc a
` 0 < c < 1 and b > 1
i.e. b > c =
I is true.
Let a be the y-coordinate of A, where a > 1. = (logb a)
Then the x-coordinates of B and C are logb a and logc a
respectively. = logb c
BC = logb a – logc a and AC = –logc a III is not true.

= From the figure, <1

` logb c < 1
= +1 c < b (a b > 1)
I is true.
= 1 – (logb a) The answer is A.

= logb b – logb c

= logb

III is true.
134
18  Numbers and Logarithms

Instant Practice 6 Let c be the x-coordinates of C.

1. The graphs of y = and y = are both going Then the y-coordinates of A and B are loga c and logb c
upwards. respectively.
` > 1 and >1 =
a > 1 and b > 1
I is true. =
From the graph, for x > 1, we have
> = –1

> = (loga c) – loga a

> = loga

III is true.
log b > log a
The answer is D.
` b > a
II is true.
The graph of y = loga x is going upwards while the graph
3.
Let c be the x-coordinate of C.
of y = logb x is going downwards.
Then the y-coordinates of A and B are and
` a > 1 and 0 < b < 1
respectively.
I is true.
` = Let c be the x-coordinate of Q.
Then the y-coordinates of P and R are loga c and logb c
= respectively.

=
= –1

=
= –1
= +1

=2 – loga a
= 1 – (loga c)
= loga
= loga a – loga b
III is true. = loga
The answer is D.
III is true.

The graphs of y = loga x and y = logb x are both going

2. =
downwards.
` 0 < a < 1 and 0 < b < 1 =–
I is true.
From the graph, when x > 1, we have
=
logb x > loga x

>

log a > log b

` a > b
II is true.

135
HKDSE Exam Series — Master 1, Tackle 5 Hot Question Types for Mathematics (Compulsory Part) Solution Guide

From the graph, when x > 1, we have PQ > QR.

2. log9 y – (–2) = (log9 x – 2)
` >1
log9 y + 2 = log9 x + 1
>1
log9 y = log9 x – 1
–log b > log a
log a + log b < 0 log9 y = log9
0 < ab < 1
II is not true. y=
The answer is B.
` k =
4. The graph of y = loga x is going upwards while the graph The answer is C.
of y = is going downwards.

` a > 1 and 0 < <1 3. log4 y – (–2) = (log4 x – 0)

a > 1 and b > 1
log4 y = log4 x – 2
I is not true.
a > 1 and b > 1
` ab > 1 log4 y = log4
II is true.
Let c be the x-coordinate of Q. y=
Then the y-coordinates of P and R are loga c and
` k =
respectively.
The answer is A.
=

4. log2 y – 8 = (x – 0)

log2 y = 2x + 8
= –(loga c)
y = 22x + 8
y = 256 ⋅ 4x
` n = 4
= –loga
The answer is B.
= loga b
III is true.
5. log8 y – (–3) = (x – 0)
The answer is C.

log8 y = x–3
Instant Practice 7

1. log8 y – 5 = (log8 x – 3) y=
y= ⋅ 2x
log8 y – 5 = log8 x + 1
` b = 2
log8 y = log8 x + 6 The answer is C.

log8 y = log8

y = 262 144

` a =

The answer is A.
136
18  Numbers and Logarithms

` Slope of the graph of log5 y against x

6. log3 y – 2 = (log3 x – 0)
= log5 k
3 log3 y – 6 = 2 log3 x >0
3 log3 y = 2 log3 x + log3 36 Intercept on the vertical axis of the graph
y3 = 729x2
= log5
The answer is A.
<0
The answer is D.
7. log4 y – (–1) = (log4 x – 0)

2 log4 y + 2 = log4 x 2. The y-intercept of the graph of y = abx is 3.

2 log4 y + log4 42 = log4 x ` 3 = ab
0

x = 16y2 a = 3
The answer is A. ` y = 3bx
The graph of y = 3bx is going upwards.
8. –2= (x – 0) ` b > 1
log8 y = log8 3 + (log8 b)x
= x+2 ` Slope of the graph of log8 y against x
= log8 b
= (x – 6) >0
Intercept on the vertical axis of the graph
y = (x – 6)2 = log8 3
>0
y = (x2 – 12x + 36)
The answer is A.
The answer is A.
3. log5 y = log5 k – (log5 a)x
Slope of the graph of log5 y against x
9. –4= (x – 0)
= –log5 a
= x+4 >0
Intercept on the vertical axis of the graph
= (x + 6) = log5 k
>0
y = (x + 6)2 The answer is A.

y = (x2 + 12x + 36)

4. The y-intercept of the graph of y = abx is .
The answer is B.
` = ab0
Instant Practice 8
a =
1. The y-intercept of the graph of y = hkx is .
` y = bx
` = hk0
The graph of y = bx is going downwards.
h=
` 0 < b < 1
` y = k x
log6 y = log6 + (log6 b)x

The graph of y = kx is going upwards.

` k > 1

log5 y = log5 + (log5 k)x

137
HKDSE Exam Series — Master 1, Tackle 5 Hot Question Types for Mathematics (Compulsory Part) Solution Guide

` Slope of the graph of log6 y against x 4. 213 + 25 + 7 = 213 + 25 + 22 + 2 + 1

= log6 b = 100000001001112
<0 The answer is C.
Intercept on the vertical axis of the graph
5. 210 + 24 + 5 = 210 + 24 + 22 + 1
= log6
= 100000101012
<0 The answer is C.
The answer is C.
6. 213 + 212 + 89 = 213 + 212 + 26 + 24 + 23 + 1
5. The y-intercept of the graph of y = ab is 10.
x
= 110000010110012
` 10 = ab
0
The answer is A.
a = 10
` y = 10bx
Instant Practice 10
The graph of y = 10bx is going downwards.
1. BAC000DE00000016
` 0 < b < 1
= (11)1613 + (10)1612 + (12)1611 + (13)167 + (14)166
log7 y = log7 10 + (log7 b)x
= [(11)162 + (10)(16) + 12]1611 + [(13)(16) + 14]166
` Slope of the graph of log7 y against x
= (2988)1611 + (222)166
= log7 b
The answer is A.
<0
Intercept on the vertical axis of the graph
2. A300B2001016
= log7 10
= (10)169 + (3)168 + (11)165 + (2)164 + 16
>0
= [(10)(16) + 3]168 + [(11)(16) + 2]164 + 16
The answer is B.
= (163)168 + (178)164 + 16
The answer is A.
Instant Practice 9
1. (3)29 + 27 + (5)22 – 22 = (2 + 1)(29) + 27 + (5 – 1)22 3. B23001D200000016
= 210 + 29 + 27 + 4(22) = (11)1613 + (2)1612 + (3)1611 + 168 + (13)167 + (2)166
= 210 + 29 + 27 + 24 = [(11)162 + (2)(16) + 3]1611 + [162 + (13)(16) + 2]166
= 110100100002 = (2851)1611 + (466)166
The answer is D. The answer is A.

2. (3)210 + (6)24 – (5)23 4. EB000000006916

= (2 + 1)(210) + [6(2) – 5](23) = (14)1611 + (11)1610 + (6)16 + 9
= 211 + 210 + 7(23) = (14)1611 + (11)1610 + 105
= 211 + 210 + (22 + 2 + 1)(23) The answer is B.
= 211 + 210 + 25 + 24 + 23
= 1100001110002 5. A0B0000003C16 = (10)1610 + (11)168 + (3)(16) + 12
The answer is B. = (10)1610 + (11)168 + 60
The answer is A.
3. 6 + 23 + (17)25 = (22 + 2) + 23 + (24 + 1)(25)
= 29 + 25 + 23 + 22 + 2 6. 200A000E01D16 = (2)1610 + (10)167 + (14)163 + 16 + 13
= 10001011102 = (2)1610 + (10)167 + (14)163 + 29
The answer is D. The answer is C.

138
18  Numbers and Logarithms

Instant Practice 11
1. 87 + 818 = (23)7 + (23)18
= 254 + 221
= 24(13) + 2 + 24(5) + 1
= (22)(24)13 + (2)(24)5
= (4)1613 + (2)165
= 4000000020000016
The answer is D.

2. 323 + 3211 = (25)3 + (25)11

= 255 + 215
= 24(13) + 3 + 24(3) + 3
= (23)(24)13 + (23)(24)3
= (8)1613 + (8)163
= 8000000000800016
The answer is B.

3. 327 + 3210 = (25)7 + (25)10

= 250 + 235
= 24(12) + 2 + 24(8) + 3
= (22)(24)12 + (23)(24)8
= (4)1612 + (8)168
= 400080000000016
The answer is B.

4. 816 + 14 = (23)16 + 14
= 248 + 14
= (24)12 + 14
= 1612 + 14
= 100000000000E16
The answer is D.

5. 325 + 815 = (25)5 + (23)15

= 245 + 225
= 24(11) + 1 + 24(6) + 1
= (2)(24)11 + (2)(24)6
= (2)1611 + (2)166
= 20000200000016
The answer is B.

139