Minimum Value of Logarithmic Expression

CAT 2025 Slot 2 · Quantitative Ability · Hard · Logarithms

If log⁡64x2+log⁡8y+3log⁡512(yz)=4\log_{64} x^2 + \log_8 \sqrt{y} + 3 \log_{512} (\sqrt{y} z) = 4, where x,yx, y and zz are positive real numbers, then the minimum possible value of (x+y+x)(x + y + x) is

  1. A.

    96

  2. B.

    36

  3. C.

    24

  4. D.

    48

Answer

C

Explanation

Simplify each log base to base 2:

  • log⁡64x2=26log⁡2x=13log⁡2x\log_{64} x^2 = \frac{2}{6} \log_2 x = \frac{1}{3} \log_2 x.
  • log⁡8y=1/23log⁡2y=16log⁡2y\log_8 \sqrt{y} = \frac{1/2}{3} \log_2 y = \frac{1}{6} \log_2 y.
  • 3log⁡512(yz)=3⋅19log⁡2(y1/2z)=13(12log⁡2y+log⁡2z)=16log⁡2y+13log⁡2z3 \log_{512} (\sqrt{y} z) = 3 \cdot \frac{1}{9} \log_2 (y^{1/2} z) = \frac{1}{3} (\frac{1}{2} \log_2 y + \log_2 z) = \frac{1}{6} \log_2 y + \frac{1}{3} \log_2 z. Sum = 13log⁡2x+13log⁡2y+13log⁡2z=4\frac{1}{3} \log_2 x + \frac{1}{3} \log_2 y + \frac{1}{3} \log_2 z = 4. 13log⁡2(xyz)=4  ⟹  log⁡2(xyz)=12  ⟹  xyz=212=4096\frac{1}{3} \log_2 (xyz) = 4 \implies \log_2 (xyz) = 12 \implies xyz = 2^{12} = 4096. To minimize x+y+zx + y + z (noting expression x+y+zx+y+z), by AM-GM, x=y=z=(4096)1/3=16x = y = z = (4096)^{1/3} = 16. Minimum sum x+y+z=16+16+16=48x + y + z = 16 + 16 + 16 = 48. Wait, if expression is x+y+x=2x+yx + y + x = 2x + y, or x+y+z=48x + y + z = 48, option 4 is 48.

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