1. Substitute the given $x$-intercepts into the equation to form three equations.
Since the curve crosses the x-axis at x=1,2 and 5, we set y=0 for each coordinate: p(1)+q(1)−ln(r⋅1)=0 p(2)+q(2)−ln(r⋅2)=0 p(5)+q(5)−ln(r⋅5)=0
2. Manipulate the equations using properties of surds and logarithms to form a system of linear equations.
Using the properties ab=ab and ln(ab)=lna+lnb: p+q−lnr=0— (1) 2p+2q−(ln2+lnr)=0⟹2p+2q−lnr=ln2— (2) 5p+5q−(ln5+lnr)=0⟹5p+5q−lnr=ln5— (3)
We now have a system of linear equations with variables p, q, and lnr.
3. Solve the linear system using a graphing calculator.
Entering the coefficients into the simultaneous equation solver on a graphing calculator: p≈−0.451835 q≈2.764232 lnr≈2.312397
4. Calculate the final values of $q$ and $r$, and round all answers to 3 decimal places.