Solve the equation `4^x - 15 × 2^x = 16` for `x.` (3 marks)
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`x = 4`
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`4^x – 15 xx 2^x – 16` | `= 0` |
`2^(2x) – 15 xx 2^x – 16` | `= 0` |
♦♦ Mean mark 33%.
MARKER’S COMMENT: “Poorly answered”. Many students incorrectly stated that if `y=2^x`, then `2y=4^x`.
MARKER’S COMMENT: “Poorly answered”. Many students incorrectly stated that if `y=2^x`, then `2y=4^x`.
`text(Let)\ \ y = 2^x`
`y^2 – 15y – 16` | `= 0` |
`(y – 16) (y + 1)` | `= 0` |
`y` | `= 16` | `\ \ \ or\ \ \ ` | `y` | `= – 1` |
`2^x` | `= 16` | `2^x` | `= – 1` | |
`:. x` | `= 4` | `text(No solution)` |