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Difference between revisions of "2016 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 16"

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Setting the first two equations equal to each other, <math>\log_3 x = \log_x 3</math>.
 
Setting the first two equations equal to each other, <math>\log_3 x = \log_x 3</math>.
  
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Solving this, we get <math>(3, 1)</math> and <math>(\frac{1}{3}, 1)</math>.
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Solving this, we get <math>\left(3, 1\right)</math> and <math>\left(\frac{1}{3}, 1\right)</math>.
  
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Similarly with the last two equations, we get <math>(3, -1)</math> and <math>(\frac{1}{3}, -1)</math>.
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Similarly with the last two equations, we get <math>\left(3, -1\right)</math> and <math>\left(\frac{1}{3}, -1\right)</math>.
  
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Now, by setting the first and third equations equal to each other, we get <math>(1, 0)</math>.
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Now, by setting the first and third equations equal to each other, we get <math>\left(1, 0\right)</math>.
  
 
Pairing the first and fourth or second and third equations won't work because then <math>\log x \leq 0</math>.
 
Pairing the first and fourth or second and third equations won't work because then <math>\log x \leq 0</math>.
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After trying all pairs, we have a total of <math>5</math> solutions <math>\rightarrow \boxed{\textbf{(D)} 5}</math>
 
After trying all pairs, we have a total of <math>5</math> solutions <math>\rightarrow \boxed{\textbf{(D)} 5}</math>
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==See Also==
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{{AMC12 box|year=2016|ab=A|num-b=15|num-a=17}}
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{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 12:43, 5 February 2016

Problem 16

The graphs of $y=\log_3 x, y=\log_x 3, y=\log_\frac{1}{3} x,$ and $y=\log_x \dfrac{1}{3}$ are plotted on the same set of axes. How many points in the plane with positive $x$-coordinates lie on two or more of the graphs?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 2\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 3\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 4\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 5\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 6$

Solution

Setting the first two equations equal to each other, $\log_3 x = \log_x 3$.

Solving this, we get $\left(3, 1\right)$ and $\left(\frac{1}{3}, 1\right)$.

Similarly with the last two equations, we get $\left(3, -1\right)$ and $\left(\frac{1}{3}, -1\right)$.

Now, by setting the first and third equations equal to each other, we get $\left(1, 0\right)$.

Pairing the first and fourth or second and third equations won't work because then $\log x \leq 0$.

Pairing the second and fourth equations will yield $x = 1$, but since you can't divide by $\log 1 = 0$, it doesn't work.

After trying all pairs, we have a total of $5$ solutions $\rightarrow \boxed{\textbf{(D)} 5}$


See Also

2016 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 15 		Followed by
Problem 17
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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