Difference between revisions of "2002 AMC 12P Problems/Problem 21"
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== Problem == | == Problem == | ||
Let <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> be real numbers greater than <math>1</math> for which there exists a positive real number <math>c,</math> different from <math>1</math>, such that | Let <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> be real numbers greater than <math>1</math> for which there exists a positive real number <math>c,</math> different from <math>1</math>, such that | ||
+ | |||
<cmath>2(\log_a{c} + \log_b{c}) = 9\log_{ab}{c}.</cmath> | <cmath>2(\log_a{c} + \log_b{c}) = 9\log_{ab}{c}.</cmath> | ||
+ | |||
Find the largest possible value of <math>\log_a b.</math> | Find the largest possible value of <math>\log_a b.</math> | ||
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== Solution == | == Solution == | ||
− | + | We may rewrite the given equation as <cmath>2 \left(\frac {\log c}{\log a} + \frac {\log c}{\log b} \right) = \frac {9\log c}{\log a + \log b}</cmath> | |
+ | Since <math>c \neq 1</math>, we have <math>\log c \neq 0</math>, so we may divide by <math>\log c</math> on both sides. After making the substitutions <math>x = \log a</math> and <math>y = \log b</math>, our equation becomes <cmath>\frac {2}{x} + \frac {2}{y} = \frac {9}{x+y}</cmath> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Rewriting the left-hand side gives <cmath>\frac {2(x+y)}{xy} = \frac {9}{x+y}</cmath> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Cross-multiplying gives <math>2(x+y)^2 = 9xy</math> or <cmath>2x^2 - 5xy + 2y^2 = 0</cmath> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Factoring gives <math>(2x-y)(x-2y) = 0</math> or <math>\frac {x}{y} = 2, \frac {1}{2}</math>. | ||
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+ | Recall that <math>\frac {x}{y} = \frac {\log a}{\log b} = \log_{a} b</math>. Therefore, the maximum value of <math>\log_{a} b</math> is <math>\boxed {\text{(C) }2}</math>. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
{{AMC12 box|year=2002|ab=P|num-b=20|num-a=22}} | {{AMC12 box|year=2002|ab=P|num-b=20|num-a=22}} | ||
{{MAA Notice}} | {{MAA Notice}} |
Latest revision as of 21:26, 26 July 2024
Problem
Let and be real numbers greater than for which there exists a positive real number different from , such that
Find the largest possible value of
Solution
We may rewrite the given equation as Since , we have , so we may divide by on both sides. After making the substitutions and , our equation becomes
Rewriting the left-hand side gives
Cross-multiplying gives or
Factoring gives or .
Recall that . Therefore, the maximum value of is .
See also
2002 AMC 12P (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | |
Preceded by Problem 20 |
Followed by Problem 22 |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 | |
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions |
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