Question Details

If a , b and c are positive real numbers such that a > 10 b c , and


log2 ( a + b ) log2 c + log27 ( a - b ) log3 c = 23

then the greatest possible integer value of a is:

Options

A

14

B

9

C

10

D

16

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

14

Solution :

The correct option is 14.

To find the greatest possible integer value of a, we start by analyzing and simplifying the given logarithmic equation. Note that in standard formulation, the first term contains a base of 8 in the numerator to ensure algebraic consistency with the overall expression:
log8 ( a + b ) log2 c + log27 ( a - b ) log3 c = 2 3
Let us simplify each term using the change of base formula, logxy=logcylogcx.

Step 1: Simplify the first term
We express the logarithms in terms of a common base, c:
log8 ( a + b ) log2 c = logc(a+b)logc8 1logc2
Since logc8=logc(23)=3logc2, the expression simplifies to:
logc( a + b ) 3 logc 2 × log c 2 = 1 3 log c ( a + b )

Step 2: Simplify the second term
Similarly, for the second term we write:
log27 ( a - b ) log3 c = logc(a-b)logc27 1logc3
Since logc27=logc(33)=3logc3, this term reduces to:
logc( a - b ) 3 logc 3 × log c 3 = 1 3 log c ( a - b )

Step 3: Solve the combined equation
Substituting these back into the original equation gives:
1 3 log c ( a + b ) + 1 3 log c ( a - b ) = 2 3
Multiplying both sides by 3:
log c ( a + b ) + log c ( a - b ) = 2
Using the logarithmic product rule, logxu+logxv=logx(uv):
log c [ ( a + b ) ( a - b ) ] = 2
Converting the equation to exponential form:
( a + b ) ( a - b ) = c 2
Applying the difference of squares identity:
a 2 - b 2 = c 2 a 2 = b 2 + c 2

Step 4: Find the greatest possible integer value of a
We are given the constraint:
a > 10 b c
Since b and c are at most 10, the maximum possible value of a2 occurs when b and c are maximized.
Setting b=10 and c=10 yields:
a 2 10 2 + 10 2 = 200
Taking the square root of both sides:
a 200 14.14
The largest integer value of a satisfying this inequality is 14.

Unlock Our Free Library

Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.

Discover more resources

You may also like

Mock Tests

View All
  • CLAT
  • intermediate
  • 2 hours
  • current affairs, general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, quant

  • CLAT
  • intermediate
  • 2 hours
  • current affairs, english, general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, quant

Ask AI Tutor
5 left
Q1 View Question & Options
AI Tutor is solving this question...
Reading question context & options...