1969 AHSME Problems/Problem 17

Problem

The equation $2^{2x}-8\cdot 2^x+12=0$ is satisfied by:

$\text{(A) } log(3)\quad \text{(B) } \tfrac{1}{2}log(6)\quad \text{(C) } 1+log(\tfrac{3}{2})\quad \text{(D) } 1+\frac{log(3)}{log(2)}\quad \text{(E) none of these}$

Solution

Let $2^x=a$. Because $2^{2x}=(2^x)^2$, the given expression can be rewritten as $a^2-8a+12=0$. This can be factored as $(a-6)(a-2)=0$, which has solutions $a=2^x=6$ and $a=2^x=2$. Looking at the answer choices, we see that $x=1$ is absent. Rewriting $2^x=6$ as $x=log_26$ and then applying the logarithm addition identity in reverse gives $x=log_2(2)+log_2(3)=1+log_2(3)$. Applying the logarithm division identity shows that the answer is $\fbox{D}$.

See also

1969 AHSC (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 16
Followed by
Problem 18
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