Logarithmic Inequality and Integer Solutions

CAT 2025 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Medium · Logarithms

This is a medium Quantitative Ability question from the CAT 2025 Slot 1 paper. It tests Logarithms. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

The number of distinct integers nn for which log(14)(n27n+11)>0\log_{\left(\frac{1}{4}\right)} \left(n^2 - 7n + 11\right) > 0, is

  1. A.

    0

  2. B.

    1

  3. C.

    Infinite

  4. D.

    2

Answer

A

Explanation

Since base is 1/4<11/4 < 1, reversing inequality gives: log1/4(n27n+11)>0    0<n27n+11<(14)0=1\log_{1/4} (n^2 - 7n + 11) > 0 \iff 0 < n^2 - 7n + 11 < \left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^0 = 1

  1. n27n+11<1    n27n+10<0    (n2)(n5)<0    2<n<5n^2 - 7n + 11 < 1 \implies n^2 - 7n + 10 < 0 \implies (n-2)(n-5) < 0 \implies 2 < n < 5. Possible integer values: n=3,4n = 3, 4.

  2. Check 0<n27n+110 < n^2 - 7n + 11 for these values: For n=3n = 3: 327(3)+11=921+11=103^2 - 7(3) + 11 = 9 - 21 + 11 = -1 \ngtr 0. For n=4n = 4: 427(4)+11=1628+11=104^2 - 7(4) + 11 = 16 - 28 + 11 = -1 \ngtr 0.

Neither n=3n=3 nor n=4n=4 satisfies the condition. Thus, the number of distinct integers is 00.

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