# Thread: Challenging question on logarithm

1. ## Challenging question on logarithm

Given that $\displaystyle log_{9}x=log_{12}y=log_{16}(x+y)$, find $\displaystyle \frac{x}{y}$

Thanks

2. $\displaystyle z = \frac{y}{x}$

$\displaystyle log_{9}x = log_{12}xz = log_{16}x(1+z)$

$\displaystyle \frac{lnx}{ln9} = \frac{lnx + lnz}{ln12} = \frac{lnx + ln(1+z)}{ln16}$

$\displaystyle lnx + lnx + ln(1+z) = 2(lnx + lnz)$
$\displaystyle ln(1+z) = 2 lnz$
$\displaystyle 1+z = z^2$

$\displaystyle z^2 - z - 1 = 0$

$\displaystyle z = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2} = \frac{y}{x}$

$\displaystyle \frac{x}{y} = \frac{2}{1+\sqrt{5}}$

Patrick

3. Hello acc100jt
Originally Posted by acc100jt
Given that $\displaystyle log_{9}x=log_{12}y=log_{16}(x+y)$, find $\displaystyle \frac{x}{y}$

Thanks
In case you don't follow how Patrick went from here:
$\displaystyle \frac{lnx}{ln9} = \frac{lnx + lnz}{ln12} = \frac{lnx + ln(1+z)}{ln16}$
to here:
$\displaystyle lnx + lnx + ln(1+z) = 2(lnx + lnz)$
... here's an alternative approach, that just uses the fundamental property of a logarithm, namely
$\displaystyle a=\log_bc \iff b^a=c\quad (c>0)$
$\displaystyle \log_{9}x=\log_{12}y=\log_{16}(x+y)=p$, say

$\displaystyle \Rightarrow$
$\displaystyle 9^p=x$
$\displaystyle 12^p=y\Rightarrow144^p=y^2$
$\displaystyle 16^p=(x+y)$
Then, since $\displaystyle 9^p \times 16^p=144^p$:
$\displaystyle x(x+y)=y^2$
$\displaystyle \Rightarrow \left(\frac{x}{y}\right)^2+\left(\frac{x}{y}\right )-1=0$

$\displaystyle \Rightarrow \frac{x}{y}=\frac{-1+\sqrt5}{2}\,\Big(=\frac{2}{1+\sqrt5}\Big)$, taking the positive root, since $\displaystyle x>0,y>0$