Simplification of logarithmic alternating sum

CAT 2018 Slot 2 · QA · Medium · Logarithms

The value of 1log21001log4100+1log51001log10100+1log201001log25100+1log50100\frac{1}{\log_2 100} - \frac{1}{\log_4 100} + \frac{1}{\log_5 100} - \frac{1}{\log_{10} 100} + \frac{1}{\log_{20} 100} - \frac{1}{\log_{25} 100} + \frac{1}{\log_{50} 100} is

  1. A.

    0

  2. B.

    1 / 2

  3. C.

    -4

  4. D.

    10

Answer

B

Explanation

Using 1logab=logba\frac{1}{\log_a b} = \log_b a, the given expression becomes: log1002log1004+log1005log10010+log10020log10025+log10050\log_{100} 2 - \log_{100} 4 + \log_{100} 5 - \log_{100} 10 + \log_{100} 20 - \log_{100} 25 + \log_{100} 50

Combine using logarithmic properties: =log100(2×5×20×504×10×25)= \log_{100} \left( \frac{2 \times 5 \times 20 \times 50}{4 \times 10 \times 25} \right)

Numerator =2×5×20×50=10000= 2 \times 5 \times 20 \times 50 = 10000. Denominator =4×10×25=1000= 4 \times 10 \times 25 = 1000.

NumeratorDenominator=100001000=10\frac{\text{Numerator}}{\text{Denominator}} = \frac{10000}{1000} = 10

So expression =log10010=12= \log_{100} 10 = \frac{1}{2}.

Practise this under exam conditions

Sign in to solve it with a live timer, the on-screen CAT calculator, and streak and accuracy tracking across every question you attempt.

Solve in the workspace