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2019 AMC 12B Problem 9

Problem 9 of 25EasierAlgebraGeometryCounting & Probability

For how many integral values of xx can a triangle of positive area be formed having side lengths log2x,\log_2 x, log4x,\log_4 x, and 3?3?

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Solution

Let t=log2x.t=\log_2 x. Then log4x=t2,\log_4 x=\dfrac{t}{2}, and the sides are t, t2, 3.t,\ \dfrac{t}{2},\ 3. The triangle inequalities give t+t2>3t+\dfrac{t}{2}\gt3 (so t>2t\gt2) and t2+3>t\dfrac{t}{2}+3\gt t (so t<6t\lt6); the third inequality is automatic. Thus 2<log2x<6,2\lt\log_2 x\lt6, i.e. 4<x<64.4\lt x\lt64. The integers 5,6,,635,6,\ldots,63 number 59.59. Thus, B is the correct answer.

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Concepts: logarithm · triangle inequality · counting integers in a range

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.