All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > Just Math
Real Powerful Logarithms (Posted on 2008-04-04) Difficulty: 2 of 5
Determine all possible positive real pair(s) (A, B) that satisfy the following system of simultaneous equations:

(3A)log 3 = (8B)log 2, and:

2log A = 3log B * 4log 3


Note: For the purposes of the problem, the base of the logarithm is a positive real number > 1.

See The Solution Submitted by K Sengupta    
Rating: 5.0000 (1 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
Solution solution | Comment 1 of 4

Taking logarithms of both sides, the first becomes

log3(log3+logA) = log2(log8+logB)

then solving for B:

logB=(log3logA-log8log2+log3log3) / log2

Doing the same with the second equation:

logAlog2 = logBlog3 + log3log4

logB = (logAlog2 - log3log4) / log3

then plotting exp((ln3lnx-ln8ln2+ln3ln3)/ln2) and exp((lnxln2-ln3ln4)/ln3) on the same graph shows an intersection around x=1/3 (or A=1/3 for the puzzle).  Then solving for B, using 1/3 for A, gives 1/8 in either equation, so (1/3, 1/8) is a solution.

From the simultaneous graphs it would appear that (0,0) is also a solution. However, the log of zero is undefined, and so the two equations only approach satisfaction as A and B approach zero.


  Posted by Charlie on 2008-04-04 13:22:33
Please log in:
Login:
Password:
Remember me:
Sign up! | Forgot password


Search:
Search body:
Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (14)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information