1983 AMC 12 Problem 12

Attempt Problem 12 of the 1983 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 1983 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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12.

If log⁡7(log⁡3(log⁡2x))=0,\log_7(\log_3(\log_2x))=0, then x−12x^{-\frac{1}{2}} equals
13\frac13
123\frac1{2\sqrt3}
133\frac1{3\sqrt3}
142\frac1{\sqrt{42}}
none of these
Answer: E
Concepts:logarithmexponent
Small hint:
Undo the logarithms one at a time, starting from the outside
Big hint:
log⁡7u=0\log_7u=0 implies u=1,u=1, then continue inward
Solution:
The equation gives log⁡3(log⁡2x)=1,\log_3(\log_2x)=1, so log⁡2x=3\log_2x=3 and x=8.x=8. Hence x−12=18=122,x^{-\frac{1}{2}}=\frac{1}{\sqrt8}=\frac{1}{2\sqrt2}, which is not among choices A–D.
Therefore, the correct answer is E.
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