WAEC 2019 Mathematics · Question 21
Simplify: 6 - 3 log 3 +
Options
- A.3
- B.
- C.
- D.2
Answer: B.
Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key
Analyze the question: We need to combine the logarithms using the laws of logs and simplify.
Concept:
- n log a = log aⁿ
- log a − log b = log(a/b)
- log a + log b = log(ab)
Solution:
- Write each term in simpler form: • 3 log₁₀ 3 = log₁₀ 27 • (2/3) log₁₀ 27 = log₁₀ 27^(2/3) = log₁₀ 9 (since 27^(1/3) = 3, and 3² = 9)
- Substitute: log₁₀ 6 − log₁₀ 27 + log₁₀ 9
- Combine: = log₁₀ (6 × 9 / 27) = log₁₀ (54/27) = log₁₀ 2
So the expression simplifies to log₁₀ 2.
Matching the options: The options are written in a slightly garbled way: "log₁₀²" in option B stands for log₁₀ 2 (the 2 is the number whose log is taken). Option B, log 2, matches our result. Option A would be 3 log 2, option C is log 3, and option D is 2 log 3. None of those equal log 2, so B is correct.
Tip: Always convert coefficients into powers first (n log a → log aⁿ). Then everything collapses into a single log. Also remember that 27 = 3³, so powers of 3 simplify quickly.
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