Exam Strategy
Readiness Check
You are ready when you can:
- Solve standard exp/log equations.
- Check every candidate in Dom and original equation.
- Solve basic inequalities with justification.
- Build inverses of transformed exp/log functions.
On the AP Exam
- MCQ: solve, identify extraneous, choose inverse formula.
- FRQ: multi-step solve with Dom rationale; construct inverse of a model.
- Skill focus: 1.A solve analytically (among related Unit 2 skills).
Tactics
1. Isolate the exp or log piece first. 2. Convert: same base, or take log both sides, or exponentiate. 3. For products of logs, use properties before solving. 4. Always check: argument $>0$, base valid, context limits. 5. Inverse: undo $+k$, then $/a$ or $\cdot a$, then undo shift/base.
Common Traps
- Extraneous log solutions.
- Inequality direction with $0<b<1$ or negative coefficient.
- Incomplete inverse (forgetting $h$ or $k$).
- Algebraic slips after taking logs.
Quick Checklist
- [ ] Isolation complete
- [ ] Properties applied correctly
- [ ] Candidates checked in Dom
- [ ] Inequality direction justified
- [ ] Inverse undoes all transforms