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Algebra Difficulty 4.9 AIME Prove it Philippines

Problem:

The points (3,m)(3, m), (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) are on the graph of the function f(x)=logaxf(x) = \log_{a} x. If y1+y2=2my_1 + y_2 = 2m, find the value of x1x2x_1 x_2.

Solution

Solution:

Since (3,m)(3, m) is on the graph of f(x)=logaxf(x) = \log_{a} x, we have:
m=loga3 m = \log_{a} 3

Similarly, (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) and (x2,y2)(x_2, y_2) are on the graph, so:
y1=logax1y2=logax2 y_1 = \log_{a} x_1 \\ y_2 = \log_{a} x_2
Given y1+y2=2my_1 + y_2 = 2m, so:
logax1+logax2=2loga3 \log_{a} x_1 + \log_{a} x_2 = 2 \log_{a} 3
Using the property logax1+logax2=loga(x1x2)\log_{a} x_1 + \log_{a} x_2 = \log_{a} (x_1 x_2):
loga(x1x2)=loga32=loga9 \log_{a} (x_1 x_2) = \log_{a} 3^2 = \log_{a} 9
Therefore,
x1x2=9 x_1 x_2 = 9

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Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement reproduced verbatim; metadata (topic, difficulty) added by this project.