2022 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 11

Problem

What is the product of all real numbers $x$ such that the distance on the number line between $\log_6x$ and $\log_69$ is twice the distance on the number line between $\log_610$ and $1$ ?

$\textbf{(A) } 10 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 18 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 25 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 36 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 81$

Solution 1

Let $a = 2 \cdot |\log_6 10 - 1| = |\log_6 9 - \log_6 x| = |\log_6 \frac{9}{x}|$ .

$\pm a = \log_6 \frac{9}{x} \implies 6^{\pm a} = b^{\pm 1} = \frac{9}{x} \implies x = 9 \cdot b^{\pm 1}$

$9b^1 \cdot 9b^{-1} = \boxed{81}$ .

~ oinava

Solution 2

First, notice that there must be two such numbers: one greater than $\log_69$ and one less than it. Furthermore, they both have to be the same distance away, namely $2(\log_610 - 1)$ . Let these two numbers be $\log_6a$ and $\log_6b$ . Because they are equidistant from $\log_69$ , we have $\frac{\log_6a + \log_6b}{2} = \log_69$ . Using log properties, this simplifies to $\log_6{\sqrt{ab}} = \log_69$ . We then have $\sqrt{ab} = 9$ , so $ab = \boxed{\textbf{(E) } 81}$ .

~ jamesl123456

Solution 3 (Logarithmic Rules and Casework)

In effect we must find all $x$ such that $\left|\log_6 9 - \log_6 x\right| = 2d$ where $d = \log_6 10 - 1$ .

Notice that by log rules $d = \log_6 10 - 1 = \log_6 \frac{10}{6}$ Using log rules again, $2d = 2\log_6 \frac{10}{6} = \log_6 \frac{25}{9}$

Now we proceed by casework for the distinct values of $x$ .

Case 1

$\log_6 9 - \log_6 x_1 = 2d$ Subbing in for $2d$ and using log rules, $\log_6 \frac{9}{x_1} = \log_6 \frac{25}{9}$ From this we may conclude that $\frac{9}{x_1} = \frac{25}{9} \implies x_1 = \frac{81}{25}$

Case 2

$\log_6 9 - \log_6 x_2 = -2d$ Subbing in for $-2d$ and using log rules, $\log_6 \frac{9}{x_2} = \log_6 \frac{9}{25}$ From this we conclude that $\frac{9}{x_2} = \frac{9}{25} \implies x_2 = 25$

Finding the product of the distinct values, $x_1x_2 = \boxed{\textbf{(E) } 81}$

~Spektrum

Video Solution 1 (Quick and Simple)

https://youtu.be/2sqyO4SlFfc

~Education, the Study of Everything

2022 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 10	Followed by Problem 12
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

Page

Toolbox

Search