1953 AMC 12 Problem 21

Attempt Problem 21 of the 1953 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1953 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

21.

If log⁡10(x2−3x+6)=1,\log_{10}(x^2-3x+6)=1, the value of xx is:
1010 or 22
44 or −2-2
33 or −1-1
44 or −1-1
none of these
Answer: D
Concepts:logarithmsquadratic equationfactoring
Small hint:
Convert the logarithmic equation to x2−3x+6=10x^2-3x+6=10
Big hint:
Factor the resulting quadratic
Solution:
The logarithmic equation is equivalent to x2−3x+6=10, x^2-3x+6=10, so x2−3x−4=(x−4)(x+1)=0. \begin{aligned} x^2-3x-4&=(x-4)(x+1)\\ &=0. \end{aligned} Thus x=4x=4 or x=−1.x=-1.
The correct answer is D.
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