2020 AMC 12A Problem 10

Attempt Problem 10 of the 2020 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 2020 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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10.

There is a unique positive integer $n$ such that $\log_2(\log_{16} n) = \log_4(\log_4 n).$

What is the sum of the digits of $n?$

$4$

$7$

$8$

$11$

$13$

Since $\log_{16} n = \tfrac12 \log_4 n,$ set $y = \log_4 n.$ The equation becomes $\log_2\left(\tfrac{y}{2}\right) = \log_4 y = \tfrac12 \log_2 y.$

Multiplying by $2$ gives $\log_2\left(\tfrac{y}{2}\right)^2 = \log_2 y,$ so $\left(\tfrac{y}{2}\right)^2 = y,$ which yields $y = 4.$

Then $\log_4 n = 4,$ so $n = 4^4 = 256,$ and the digit sum is $2 + 5 + 6 = 13.$

Thus, E is the correct answer.