1972 AMC 12 Problem 8

Attempt Problem 8 of the 1972 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 1972 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

8.

If ∣x−log⁡y∣=x+log⁡y,\lvert x-\log y\rvert=x+\log y, where xx and log⁡y\log y are real, then:
x=0x=0
y=1y=1
x=0x=0 and y=1y=1
x(y−1)=0x(y-1)=0
None of these
Answer: D
Concepts:absolute valuelogarithmcasework
Small hint:
Separate the cases x−log⁡y≥0x-\log y\ge0 and x−log⁡y<0x-\log y\lt0
Big hint:
One case forces log⁡y=0\log y=0, while the other forces x=0x=0
Solution:
If x−log⁡y≥0,x-\log y\ge0, the equation gives log⁡y=0,\log y=0, hence y=1.y=1. If x−log⁡y<0,x-\log y\lt0, it gives x=0.x=0. Therefore every solution satisfies either x=0x=0 or y=1,y=1, which is expressed by x(y−1)=0. x(y-1)=0.
Therefore, the correct answer is D.
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