Question

Consider $\begin{gathered} A = \\ \tiny \log(2013 + \log(2012 + \log(2011 + \log(\cdots + \log(3 + \log 2)\cdots)))). \end{gathered}$

Which of the following intervals contains $A?$

$(\log 2016, \log 2017)$

$(\log 2017, \log 2018)$

$(\log 2018, \log 2019)$

$(\log 2019, \log 2020)$

$(\log 2020, \log 2021)$

Answer: A

Concepts:logarithm bounding to limit cases induction

Difficulty rating: 2210

Solution:

Let $\tiny A_n = \log(n + \log((n-1) + \cdots + \log(3 + \log 2)\cdots)).$ One checks $0 \lt A_n \lt 1$ for $2 \le n \le 9,$ then $1 \lt A_n \lt 2$ for $10 \le n \le 98,$ then $2 \lt A_n \lt 3$ for $99 \le n \le 997,$ and $3 \lt A_n \lt 4$ for $998 \le n \le 9996.$

Hence $3 \lt A_{2012} \lt 4,$ so $2016 \lt 2013 + A_{2012} \lt 2017$ and therefore $\log 2016 \lt A \lt \log 2017.$

Thus, the correct answer is A.

2013 AMC 12A Problem 21

Answer: A

Difficulty rating: 2210

Solution:

Problem 21 in Other Years