1988 AIME Problem 3

Attempt Problem 3 of the 1988 AIME below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1988 AIME solutions, or check the answer key.

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3.

Find (log2x)2(\log_2 x)^2 if log2(log8x)=log8(log2x).\log_2(\log_8 x)=\log_8(\log_2 x).

Answer: 27
Concepts:logarithmsubstitutionalgebraic manipulation
Difficulty rating: 1860
Small Hint:

Set y=log2xy=\log_2x and rewrite every base-88 logarithm in base 22

Big Hint:

Solve the resulting linear equation for log2y\log_2 y

Solution:

Put y=log2x>0.y=\log_2x\gt0. Since log8x=y3,\log_8x=\frac{y}{3}, the equation becomes log2(y3)=13log2y.\log_2(\frac{y}{3})=\frac13\log_2y. Hence 23log2y=log23,\frac23\log_2y=\log_23, so y=332=33.y=3^{\frac{3}{2}}=3\sqrt3. Therefore (log2x)2=y2=27.(\log_2x)^2=y^2=27.

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