Yet another log

Algebra Level 4

Given log a b = 3 2 \log_{a} b = \dfrac{3}{2} and log c d = 5 4 \log_{c} d=\dfrac{5}{4} .

If a c = 9 a-c=9 , then find the unique integral value of b d b-d .

Credit: 2003 Shaanxi Competition Problem 10


The answer is 93.

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2 solutions

Chew-Seong Cheong
Apr 17, 2016

{ log a b = 3 2 b = a 3 2 . . . ( 1 ) log c d = 5 2 d = c 5 2 . . . ( 2 ) a c = 9 a = c + 9 . . . ( 3 ) \begin{cases} \log_a b = \frac{3}{2} & \Rightarrow b = a^{\frac{3}{2}} & ...(1) \\ \log_c d = \frac{5}{2} & \Rightarrow d = c^{\frac{5}{2}} & ...(2) \\ a - c = 9 & \Rightarrow a = c+9 & ...(3) \end{cases}

b d = a 3 2 c 5 4 Substituting ( 3 ) : a = c + 9 = ( c + 9 ) 3 2 c 5 4 \begin{aligned} b - d & = \color{#3D99F6}{a^\frac{3}{2}} - c^\frac{5}{4} \quad \quad \quad \quad \small \color{#3D99F6}{\text {Substituting }(3): a = c+9} \\ & = \color{#3D99F6}{(c+9)^\frac{3}{2}} - c^\frac{5}{4} \end{aligned}

For integer solution, ( c + 9 ) 1 2 (c+9)^\frac{1}{2} and c 1 4 c^\frac{1}{4} must be integers. Therefore, c c is a perfect square; let c = n 2 c = n^2 . And c + 9 = n 2 + 3 2 c+9 = n^2+3^2 is also a perfect square. We note that if n n is a Pythagorean triple, it will fit the bill. In this case, n = 4 n=4 and c = 16 = 2 4 c=16 = 2^4 .

Therefore we have:

b d = ( c + 9 ) 3 2 c 5 4 = 5 3 2 5 = 125 32 = 93 \begin{aligned} b - d & = (c+9)^\frac{3}{2} - c^\frac{5}{4} \\ & = 5^3 - 2^5 = 125 - 32 = \boxed{93} \end{aligned}

This is a good method to use the only triplet containing 3 is 3,4,5 (integral pythogoreas).

Prince Loomba - 5 years, 1 month ago
Prince Loomba
Apr 10, 2016

a c = 9 a-c=9 : b 2 / 3 d 4 / 5 = 9 : ( b 1 / 3 + d 2 / 5 ) × ( b 1 / 3 d 2 / 5 ) = 9 = 9 × 1 b^{2/3}-d^{4/5}=9: (b^{1/3}+d^{2/5}) \times (b^{1/3}-d^{2/5})=9= 9 \times 1 ( first bracket is bigger).
Assume A= b 1 / 3 b^{1/3} and B= d 2 / 5 d^{2/5} . solving 2 variable 2 equation, A = 5 A=5 and B = 4 = > b = 125 , d = 32 , b d = 93 B=4 => b=125,d=32,b-d=93
One more way is to think that 9 is only the difference of 2 perfect squares i.e. 25-16. Put the values and answer is same. Notice that i have not written 9=9-0 since none of them could be 0 as log won't be defined. Clarification: 9 = 1 × 9 = 3 × 3 = 9 × 1 9=1 \times 9= 3 \times 3= 9 \times 1 out of which only last is valid because b 1 / 3 + d 2 / 5 > b 1 / 3 d 2 / 5 b^{1/3}+d^{2/5}> b^{1/3}-d^{2/5} . If they both are equal, then d = 0 d=0 which is not valid.

I've edited the question to mention that a , b , c , d a,b,c,d are all positive integers in order to get a unique solution. I hope that is consistent with what you had intended.

Brian Charlesworth - 5 years, 1 month ago

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It is not necessary to mention that. Non integral solutions cant be there since a-c=9 and it is difference of 2 perfect squares and obviously for log to be defined a,b,c,d >0 and not equal to 1

Prince Loomba - 5 years, 1 month ago

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But you could have a = 16 , c = 7 , b = 64 a = 16, c = 7, b = 64 and d = 7 5 4 \large d = 7^{\frac{5}{4}} .

Then a c = 9 , log a ( b ) = 3 2 a - c = 9, \log_{a}(b) = \dfrac{3}{2} and log c ( d ) = 5 4 \log_{c}(d) = \dfrac{5}{4} but b d 93 b - d \ne 93 , nor is it even an integer. If we don't add the integer condition, we could have a a be any any positive value in excess of 9 9 and then set

b = a 3 2 , c = a 9 \large b = a^{\frac{3}{2}}, c = a - 9 and d = ( a 9 ) 5 4 \large d = (a - 9)^{\frac{5}{4}}

and still satisfy the original conditions.

Brian Charlesworth - 5 years, 1 month ago

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@Brian Charlesworth Ok got it. Thanks for the correction . But it would be better if we write: Find the integral value of b-d since its unique solution!

Prince Loomba - 5 years, 1 month ago

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@Prince Loomba O.k., great. NIce question and solution. :)

Brian Charlesworth - 5 years, 1 month ago

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@Brian Charlesworth Please change the question according to my previous comment

Prince Loomba - 5 years, 1 month ago

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@Prince Loomba O.k., done.

Brian Charlesworth - 5 years, 1 month ago

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@Brian Charlesworth Now theres no need to mention that a,b,c,d are integers

Prince Loomba - 5 years, 1 month ago

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@Prince Loomba O.k., yeah, I think you're right. I'll remove that condition now. :)

Brian Charlesworth - 5 years, 1 month ago

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@Brian Charlesworth Thanks for your suggestions

Prince Loomba - 5 years, 1 month ago

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