2024 AIME I Problems/Problem 2

Revision as of 13:42, 2 February 2024 by Technodoggo (talk | contribs)

There exist real numbers $x$ and $y$, both greater than 1, such that $\log_x\left(y^x\right)=\log_y\left(x^{4y}\right)=10$. Find $xy$.

Solution 1

By properties of logarithms, we can simplify the given equation to $x\log_xy=4y\log_yx=10$. Let us break this into two separate equations: \begin{align*} x\log_xy&=10 \\ 4y\log_yx&=10. \\ \end{align*} We multiply the two equations to get: \[4xy\left(\log_xy\log_yx\right)=100.\]

Also by properties of logarithms, we know that $\log_ab\cdot\log_ba=1$; thus, $\log_xy\cdot\log_yx=1$. Therefore, our equation simplifies to:

\[4xy=100\implies xy=\boxed{025}.\]

~Technodoggo