2000 AIME I Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 2000 AIME I 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 2000 AIME I solutions, or check the answer key.

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9.

The system of equations log⁡10(2000xy)−(log⁡10x)(log⁡10y)=4 \begin{aligned} &\log_{10}(2000xy) \\ &\quad {}- (\log_{10} x)(\log_{10} y) = 4 \end{aligned} log⁡10(2yz)−(log⁡10y)(log⁡10z)=1\log_{10}(2yz) - (\log_{10} y)(\log_{10} z) = 1 log⁡10(zx)−(log⁡10z)(log⁡10x)=0\log_{10}(zx) - (\log_{10} z)(\log_{10} x) = 0 has two solutions (x1,y1,z1)(x_1, y_1, z_1) and (x2,y2,z2).(x_2, y_2, z_2). Find y1+y2.y_1 + y_2.

Answer: 25
Concepts:logarithmsystem of equationssubstitutionfactoring
Difficulty rating: 2560
Small Hint:

Substitute a=log⁡10x,a = \log_{10} x, b=log⁡10y,b = \log_{10} y, c=log⁡10zc = \log_{10} z to make each equation polynomial in a,a, b,b, cc

Big Hint:

Each equation factors: the first two become (1−a)(1−b)(1 - a)(1 - b) =(1−b)(1−c)= (1 - b)(1 - c) =log⁡102,= \log_{10} 2, and the third (1−c)(1−a)=1(1 - c)(1 - a) = 1

Solution:

Let a=log⁡10x,a = \log_{10} x, b=log⁡10y,b = \log_{10} y, c=log⁡10z.c = \log_{10} z. Using log⁡102000=4−log⁡105,\log_{10} 2000 = 4 - \log_{10} 5, the first equation becomes a+b−ab=log⁡105,a + b - ab = \log_{10} 5, which factors as (1−a)(1−b)(1 - a)(1 - b) =1−log⁡105= 1 - \log_{10} 5 =log⁡102.= \log_{10} 2. Similarly the second equation gives (1−b)(1−c)(1 - b)(1 - c) =1−(1−log⁡102)= 1 - (1 - \log_{10} 2) =log⁡102,= \log_{10} 2, and the third gives (1−c)(1−a)=1.(1 - c)(1 - a) = 1.

Dividing the first two (note 1−b≠01 - b \ne 0) yields 1−a=1−c,1 - a = 1 - c, and then the third equation gives (1−a)2=1,(1 - a)^2 = 1, so 1−a=±1.1 - a = \pm 1. If 1−a=1,1 - a = 1, then 1−b=log⁡102,1 - b = \log_{10} 2, so b=1−log⁡102=log⁡105b = 1 - \log_{10} 2 = \log_{10} 5 and y=5y = 5 (indeed (x,y,z)=(1,5,1)(x, y, z) = (1, 5, 1) works). If 1−a=−1,1 - a = -1, then 1−b=−log⁡102,1 - b = -\log_{10} 2, so b=log⁡1020b = \log_{10} 20 and y=20y = 20 (from (x,y,z)=(100,20,100)(x, y, z) = (100, 20, 100)).

Therefore y1+y2=5+20=25.y_1 + y_2 = 5 + 20 = 25.

Problem 8#8
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