2017 AMC 12A Problem 20

Attempt Problem 20 of the 2017 AMC 12A 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 2017 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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20.

How many ordered pairs $(a,b)$ such that $a$ is a positive real number and $b$ is an integer between $2$ and $200,$ inclusive, satisfy the equation $(\log_b a)^{2017}=\log_b(a^{2017})?$

$198$

$199$

$398$

$399$

$597$

Answer: E

Concepts:logarithm basic counting

Difficulty rating: 2110

Solution:

Let $u=\log_b a.$ Since $\log_b(a^{2017})=2017\log_b a,$ the equation is $u^{2017}=2017u,$ so $u=0$ or $u^{2016}=2017.$

If $u=0,$ then $a=1,$ valid for every one of the $199$ bases. If $u^{2016}=2017,$ then $u=\pm2017^{1/2016},$ giving $2$ values of $a$ for each base, i.e. $2\cdot199=398$ pairs.

In total there are $199+398=597$ ordered pairs.

Thus, the correct answer is E.

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