2007 AMC 10A Problem 9 — Solution | LIVE by Po-Shen Loh

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2007 AMC 10A Problem 9

Attempt Problem 9 of the 2007 AMC 10A 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 2007 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

9.

Real numbers $a$ and $b$ satisfy the equations $3^a = 81^{b+2}$ and $125^b = 5^{a-3}.$ What is $ab?$

$-60$

$-17$

$9$

$12$

$60$

Answer: E

Concepts:exponent system of equations

Difficulty rating: 1240

Solution:

The equations become $3^a = 3^{4(b+2)}$ and $5^{3b} = 5^{a-3}.$

So $a = 4(b + 2)$ and $3b = a - 3.$

Solving gives $a = -12$ and $b = -5,$ so $ab = 60.$

Thus, the correct answer is E.

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