2008 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 14

Problem

A circle has a radius of $\log_{10}{(a^2)}$ and a circumference of $\log_{10}{(b^4)}$. What is $\log_{a}{b}$?

$\textbf{(A)}\ \frac{1}{4\pi} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \frac{1}{\pi} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ \pi \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 2\pi \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 10^{2\pi}$

Solution

Let $C$ be the circumference of the circle, and let $r$ be the radius of the circle.

Using log properties, $C=\log_{10}{(b^4)}=4\log_{10}{(b)}$ and $r=\log_{10}{(a^2)}=2\log_{10}{(a)}$.

Since $C=2\pi r$, $4\log_{10}{(b)}=2\pi\cdot2\log_{10}{(a)} \Rightarrow \log_{a}{b} = \frac{\log_{10}{(b)}}{\log_{10}{(a)}}=\pi \Rightarrow C$.

See Also

2008 AMC 12B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 13
Followed by
Problem 15
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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