SPM 2018 Add Maths Paper 1, Question 16Indices, Surds & Logarithms

Solved on video in English and Bahasa Melayu · 2 marks · Form 4, Indices, Surds & Logarithms · 3:50 video

The question

Given 2^p + 2^p = 2^k, express p in terms of k.

[2 marks]

Step 1

The left-hand side has two identical terms, so 2^p + 2^p = 2(2^p).

Why this step

Adding identical terms just doubles them, like 5 + 5 = 2 × 5. The add-the-indices law is for multiplying, so 2²p) here is the classic trap.

4 more steps, each with the reason for it, in the full solution

Final answer

p = k − 1

Where students lose marks

Watch out: 2^p + 2^p means 2 × 2^p, not 2²p) or 4^p. That slip gives p = k/2.

Watch every step of this question solved on video (3:50), with the reason behind each step and a box that checks your own answer.

No card. Every past-year question on video, in English and BM.

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