1955 AMC 12 Problem 17

Attempt Problem 17 of the 1955 AMC 12 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 1955 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

17.

If log⁡x−5log⁡3=−2,\log x-5\log3=-2, then xx equals:
1.251.25
0.810.81
2.432.43
0.80.8
either 0.80.8 or 1.251.25
Answer: C
Concepts:common logarithmlogarithm lawsexponents
Small hint:
Move 5log⁡35\log3 to the other side
Big hint:
Use −2=log⁡10−2-2=\log10^{-2} and combine logarithms
Solution:
Using common logarithms, log⁡x=5log⁡3−2=log⁡(35)−log⁡100=log⁡(243100). \begin{aligned} \log x&=5\log3-2\\ &=\log(3^5)-\log100\\ &=\log\left(\frac{243}{100}\right). \end{aligned} Therefore x=2.43.x=2.43.
The correct answer is C.
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