Exponential log equation for negative y

CAT 2020 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Hard · Logarithms

If yy is a negative number such that 2y2log⁡35=5log⁡232^{y^2 \log_3 5} = 5^{\log_2 3}, then yy equals

  1. A.

    \log_2 \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)

  2. B.

    \log_2 \left(\frac{1}{5}\right)

  3. C.

    -\log_2 \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)

  4. D.

    -\log_2 \left(\frac{1}{5}\right)

Answer

A

Explanation

Taking logarithm base 2 on both sides: log⁡2(2y2log⁡35)=log⁡2(5log⁡23)\log_2 \left(2^{y^2 \log_3 5}\right) = \log_2 \left(5^{\log_2 3}\right) y2log⁡35=log⁡23⋅log⁡25y^2 \log_3 5 = \log_2 3 \cdot \log_2 5

Since log⁡35=log⁡25log⁡23\log_3 5 = \frac{\log_2 5}{\log_2 3}: y2(log⁡25log⁡23)=log⁡23⋅log⁡25y^2 \left(\frac{\log_2 5}{\log_2 3}\right) = \log_2 3 \cdot \log_2 5 y2=(log⁡23)2y^2 = (\log_2 3)^2

Since yy is negative: y=−log⁡23=log⁡2(3−1)=log⁡2(13)y = -\log_2 3 = \log_2 \left(3^{-1}\right) = \log_2 \left(\frac{1}{3}\right)

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