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2008 AMC 12B Problem 14

Problem 14 of 25IntermediateAlgebraGeometry

A circle has a radius of log⁡10(a2)\log_{10}(a^2) and a circumference of log⁡10(b4).\log_{10}(b^4). What is log⁡ab?\log_a b?

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Solution

The circumference is 2π2\pi times the radius, so log⁡10(b4)=2πlog⁡10(a2). \log_{10}(b^4) = 2\pi \log_{10}(a^2). Rewriting, 4log⁡10b=4πlog⁡10a,4\log_{10} b = 4\pi \log_{10} a, hence log⁡10b=πlog⁡10a.\log_{10} b = \pi \log_{10} a. Therefore log⁡ab=log⁡10blog⁡10a=π.\log_a b = \dfrac{\log_{10} b}{\log_{10} a} = \pi. Thus, the correct answer is C.
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