The Unnatural Log

Algebra Level 2

Suppose A , B 1 A,B\ne1 are distinct positive real numbers for which log A B = log B A \log_A B = \log_B A , find the value of A × B A\times B .

Source: M A Θ MA\Theta 1992.


The answer is 1.

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5 solutions

Ben Habeahan
Aug 19, 2015

use this formula to converted logs with different base log A B = log P B log Q A \\ \log_{ A}{ B} = \frac{ \log_{ P}{ B}}{ \log_{ Q}{ A}} \\ (with P, Q are real numbers 1 , > 0 ) \neq{ 1},>0 )\\ So, log A B = log B A log B B log B A = log B A 1 log B A = log B A ( log B A ) 2 = 1 log B A = ± 1 \\ \log_{ A}{ B} =\log_{ B}{ A} \\ \iff \frac{ \log_{ B}{ B}}{ \log_{ B}{ A}} =\log_{ B}{ A} \\ \iff \frac{ 1}{ \log_{ B}{ A}} =\log_{ B}{ A} \\ \iff (\log_{ B}{ A})^2 = 1 \\ \iff \log_{ B}{ A} = \pm{ 1} \\ (by definition log) A = B ± 1 A = B , o r A = 1 B \\ \iff A= B^{ \pm 1} \\ \iff A=B, or A= \frac{1}{B} \\ But, A B . A \neq B. It means A = 1 B , A= \frac{1} {B}, A B = 1 A B = \boxed {1}

In your first step, you have used different bases P & Q. I think this property holds true when both the bases are same.

Sanu Modi - 5 years, 9 months ago
Maggie Miller
Aug 12, 2015

Note log A B = log B B log B A = 1 log B A = 1 log A B . \log_AB=\frac{\log_BB}{\log_BA}=\frac{1}{\log_BA}=\frac{1}{\log_AB}.

Therefore, log A B = ± 1 \log_AB=\pm1 . Since A B A\neq B , log A B = 1 \log_AB=-1 . Then B = 1 A B=\frac{1}{A} , so . A B = 1 A\cdot B=\boxed{1} .

Can you explain your first step?

Ahmer Ahmed - 5 years, 10 months ago

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That's just how you convert logs between different bases:

log x ( a ) = log y ( a ) log y ( x ) \log_x(a)=\frac{\log_y(a)}{\log_y(x)} .

Maggie Miller - 5 years, 10 months ago

If we let l o g A B = x log_{A}B = x , the ecuation becomes x = 1 x x=\frac{1}{x} = > x 2 1 = 0 =>x^{2}-1=0 = > ( x + 1 ) ( x 1 ) = 0 =>(x+1)(x-1)=0 So x x can be 1 1 or 1 -1 , but A B A\ne B , therefore x = l o g A B = 1 = > A = 1 B x=log_{A}B=-1 => A=\frac{1}{B}

Azadali Jivani
Aug 19, 2015

log(0.1)/log(10) = log(10)/log(0.1) = 1(Ans.)

Ramiel To-ong
Aug 13, 2015

ONLY 1 is possible value

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