1977 AMC 12 Problem 18

Attempt Problem 18 of the 1977 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 1977 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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18.

If y=(log⁡23)(log⁡34)⋯(log⁡n[n+1])⋯(log⁡3132), \begin{aligned} y={}&(\log_2 3)(\log_3 4)\cdots\\ &(\log_n[n+1])\cdots(\log_{31}32), \end{aligned} then
4<y<54\lt y\lt5
y=5y=5
5<y<65\lt y\lt6
y=6y=6
6<y<76\lt y\lt7
Answer: B
Concepts:logarithmtelescoping
Small hint:
Rewrite every logarithm using the same base
Big hint:
Adjacent numerators and denominators cancel in the product
Solution:
By change of base, y=log⁡3log⁡2⋅log⁡4log⁡3⋯log⁡32log⁡31=log⁡32log⁡2=log⁡232=5. \begin{aligned} y&=\frac{\log 3}{\log2}\cdot \frac{\log4}{\log3}\cdots \frac{\log32}{\log31}\\ &=\frac{\log32}{\log2}\\ &=\log_2 32=5. \end{aligned}
Therefore, the correct answer is B.
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