14 (a) Find the value of x in each of the following - OCR - GCSE Maths - Question 14 - 2018 - Paper 1

Question 14

14 (a) Find the value of x in each of the following.
(i) $a^4 \times a^3 = a^x$
(ii) $(b^4)^3 = b^k$
(b) Factorise fully.
$18x^2 + 9x$
Worked Solution & Example Answer:14 (a) Find the value of x in each of the following - OCR - GCSE Maths - Question 14 - 2018 - Paper 1
(i) $a^4 \times a^3 = a^x$

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To solve the equation, we apply the properties of exponents. According to the exponent product rule:
am×an=am+n
Applying this rule:
a4×a3=a4+3=a7
Thus, we have:
ax=a7
This implies that:
x=7.
(ii) $(b^4)^3 = b^k$

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Using the power of a power rule, which states:
(am)n=am⋅n
We can solve for k as follows:
(b4)3=b4⋅3=b12
Therefore, from the equation:
bk=b12
It follows that:
k=12.
(b) Factorise fully.

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To factorise the expression 18x2+9x, we look for the greatest common factor (GCF) of the two terms:
The GCF of 18x2 and 9x is 9x. Thus, we factor out 9x:
18x2+9x=9x(2x+1)
This is the fully factored form.
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