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I've been asked to solve:

$2\cosh2x = 13\cosh x - 12$

I showed earlier in the question that $\cosh2x = 2\cosh^2x -1$

So I can say that:

$2(2\cosh^2x -1) = 13\cosh x - 12$

$\therefore 4\cosh^2x -13\cosh x + 10 = 0$

$\therefore \cosh x = \frac{5}{4}$ or $\cosh x = 2$

From $\cosh x = \frac{5}{4}$ I can say:

$e^x + e^{-x} = \frac{5}{2}$

$\therefore e^{2x} - \frac{5}{2}e^x + 1 = 0$

Solving this quadratic gives:

$e^x = 2$ and $e^x = \frac{1}{2}$

$\therefore x = \ln2$ and $x = \ln \frac{1}{2}$

If we do the same thing for $\cosh x=2$

$e^x + e^{-x} = 4$

$\therefore e^{2x} - 4e^x + 1 = 0$

Solving this quadratic gives:

$e^x = 2 \pm \sqrt{3}$

$\therefore x = \ln(2 + \sqrt{3})$ and $x = \ln(2 - \sqrt{3})$

When I put these four values on $x$ (separately) into my original equation they all work. However, the mark scheme to this question accepts only:

$x= \ln 2$ and $x = \ln(2 + \sqrt{3})$

How come they're not taking the negative square root when solving the quadratic in terms of $e^x$ into account?

Thank you :)

EDIT:

Here is a photo of the original question:

photo of question

Elise
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1 Answers1

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You are correct: the equation has four solutions. So either the official answer is wrong, or you have mis-copied the question. Perhaps it only asked for positive solutions? Or perhaps the official answer was $x=\pm\ln 2$ and $x=\pm\ln(2+\sqrt 3)$?

TonyK
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  • Thank you :D and I don't think so, though perhaps I'm missing something. I've edited my original question with a picture of the exam question just in case :) – Elise Mar 01 '14 at 11:16
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    That question is oddly phrased: what does the definition of $\sinh x$ have to do with anything? It plays no role. – TonyK Mar 01 '14 at 11:46
  • Haha, you're right, I hadn't noticed that before. Here's a link to the mark scheme http://papers.xtremepapers.com/Edexcel/Advanced%20Level/Mathematics/Specimen/P5/P5Amarks.pdf this is question 5. – Elise Mar 01 '14 at 11:52
  • Is that an official Marking Guide? If so, it's a scandal! Or is http://papers.xtremepapers.com just an unpaid third-party service? – TonyK Mar 01 '14 at 12:24
  • As far as I'm aware, they're just engaged by the official examining board to develop additional practice papers and mark schemes :) – Elise Mar 01 '14 at 12:41