Question 1
- If
, without using Mathematical tables or Calculator, find the value of y. - When I walk from my house at 4km/h, I will get to the Office 30 minutes later than when I walk 5km/h. calculate the distance between my house and Office.
Observation
This question was reported to be attempted by majority of the Candidates’ and they performed well in it. In part (a), it was reported that the Candidates were able to apply the basic laws of logarithm by expressing 
as 
and 
as 
. Then equating we have 
which will yield y – 1 = 2y and therefore, y = - 1.
However in part (b), the report stated that the Candidates’ had difficulties in translating word problems to mathematical equations. Candidates were expected to make use of 
, where distance = x km and speeds are 4km/h and 5km/h respectively. They were to proceed as follows: 
. Multiply through by 20 to get 5x – 4x =10, therefore, x = 10. The distance between my house and office is 10 km.