Maths Olympiad Prep

Library / /323 of 520

Algebra Difficulty 3.4 AMC 10/12 Find the answer

Let f(x)=ax+loga(x+1)f(x)=a^{x}+ \log _{a}(x+1). The sum of the maximum and minimum values of f(x)f(x) on [0,1][0,1] is aa. Find the value of aa.

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

Since y=axy=a^{x} and y=loga(x+1)y=\log _{a}(x+1) have the same monotonicity, f(x)=ax+loga(x+1)f(x)=a^{x}+ \log _{a}(x+1) is monotonic on [0,1][0,1].

Hence, f(0)+f(1)=af(0)+f(1)=a, which implies a0+loga1+a1+loga2=aa^{0}+ \log _{a}1+a^{1}+ \log _{a}2=a.

Simplifying, we get 1+loga2=01+ \log _{a}2=0. Solving for aa, we obtain a=12a= \frac {1}{2}.

Therefore, the answer is a=12\boxed{a= \frac {1}{2}}.

The monotonicity of the functions y=axy=a^{x} and y=logaxy= \log _{a}x indicates that f(x)=ax+logaxf(x)=a^{x}+ \log _{a}x is monotonic on [0,1][0,1]. Consequently, the maximum and minimum values of the function on [0,1][0,1] are f(0)f(0) and f(1)f(1), respectively. Substituting these values, we can solve for aa.

This problem primarily assesses the understanding and simple application of the monotonicity of exponential and logarithmic functions. By employing a holistic approach, we can determine the function's extreme values and solve the problem, which is relatively straightforward.

Want a route through all this instead of an archive? The track puts 2,000 problems in a working order, from AMC 10 level to the IMO shortlist.

Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.