Difference between revisions of "1983 AHSME Problems/Problem 25"

(Created page with "Problem: If 60^a=3 and 60^b=5, then 12^[(1-a-b)/2(1-b)] is (A):sqrt3 (B): 2 (C): sqrt5 (D): 3 (E): sqrt12 Solution: We know that a=log 3 and b=log 5...")
 
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Solution: We know that a=log    3    and b=log    5
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Solution: Since 12 = 60/5, 12 = 60/(60^b) = 60^(1-b)
                                              60                      60
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So we can rewrite 12^[(1-a-b)/2(1-b)] as 60^[(1-b)(1-a-b)/2(1-b)]
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this simplifies to 60^[(1-a-b)/2]
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which can be rewritten as (60^(1-a-b))^(1/2)
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60^(1-a-b) = 60^1/[(60^a)(60^b) = 60/(3*5) = 4
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4^(1/2) = 2
  
 
Answer:B
 
Answer:B

Revision as of 21:49, 9 July 2015

Problem: If 60^a=3 and 60^b=5, then 12^[(1-a-b)/2(1-b)] is

(A):sqrt3 (B): 2 (C): sqrt5 (D): 3 (E): sqrt12


Solution: Since 12 = 60/5, 12 = 60/(60^b) = 60^(1-b)

So we can rewrite 12^[(1-a-b)/2(1-b)] as 60^[(1-b)(1-a-b)/2(1-b)]

this simplifies to 60^[(1-a-b)/2]

which can be rewritten as (60^(1-a-b))^(1/2)

60^(1-a-b) = 60^1/[(60^a)(60^b) = 60/(3*5) = 4

4^(1/2) = 2

Answer:B