2019 AMC 12A Problem 15

Let $\sqrt{\log a} = p$ and $\sqrt{\log b} = q,$ so $\log a = p^2$ and $\log\sqrt{a} = \dfrac{p^2}{2}.$ For this to be an integer, $p$ is even; likewise $q.$ Writing $p = 2m,$ $q = 2n,$ the equation $p + q + \dfrac{p^2}{2} + \dfrac{q^2}{2} = 100$ becomes $m(m+1) + n(n+1) = 50.$ The only solution is $\{m, n\} = \{4, 5\},$ giving $\log(ab) = p^2 + q^2$ $= 4(16 + 25) = 164.$ Therefore $ab = 10^{164}.$ Thus, the correct answer is D.