CAT 2024 Slot 3 QA Question 1

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CAT 2024 Slot 3QAAlgebra • IndicesEasy
If 3a=4,4b=5,5c=6,6d=7,7e=83^{a}=4 , 4^{b} = 5 , 5^{c} = 6 , 6^{d} = 7 , 7^{e} = 8 and 8f=9,thenthevalueoftheproduct8^{f}=9 , then the value of the product\textit{abcdef }$ is
TITA Answer:
Answer and solution

Answer: 2

📌 Core Concept
The problem involves solving for exponents and then multiplying them. The key concept is the change of base formula for logarithms:
log⁡xy=ln⁡yln⁡x\log_{x} y = \frac{\ln y}{\ln x}
Additionally, the property of logarithms that allows the product of consecutive logarithms to telescope is used here.
🔢 Step-by-Step Solution
1
Express each variable using logarithms:
a=log⁡34,b=log⁡45,c=log⁡56,d=log⁡67,e=log⁡78,f=log⁡89a = \log_{3} 4, \quad b = \log_{4} 5, \quad c = \log_{5} 6, \quad d = \log_{6} 7, \quad e = \log_{7} 8, \quad f = \log_{8} 9
2
Write the product abcdefabcdef using logarithms:
(log⁡34)×(log⁡45)×(log⁡56)×(log⁡67)×(log⁡78)×(log⁡89)(\log_{3} 4) \times (\log_{4} 5) \times (\log_{5} 6) \times (\log_{6} 7) \times (\log_{7} 8) \times (\log_{8} 9)
3
Apply the change of base formula to each logarithm:
(ln⁡4ln⁡3)×(ln⁡5ln⁡4)×(ln⁡6ln⁡5)×(ln⁡7ln⁡6)×(ln⁡8ln⁡7)×(ln⁡9ln⁡8)\left(\frac{\ln 4}{\ln 3}\right) \times \left(\frac{\ln 5}{\ln 4}\right) \times \left(\frac{\ln 6}{\ln 5}\right) \times \left(\frac{\ln 7}{\ln 6}\right) \times \left(\frac{\ln 8}{\ln 7}\right) \times \left(\frac{\ln 9}{\ln 8}\right)
4
Simplify by canceling intermediate terms:
ln⁡9ln⁡3\frac{\ln 9}{\ln 3}
5
Recognize the remaining logarithm:
ln⁡9ln⁡3=log⁡39\frac{\ln 9}{\ln 3} = \log_{3} 9
6
Simplify log⁡39\log_{3} 9:
log⁡39=log⁡332=2\log_{3} 9 = \log_{3} 3^2 = 2
⚡ 30-Second Shortcut
Notice that each logarithm in the product cancels out the previous denominator, leaving only the first base and the last result. Thus, abcdef=log⁡39=2abcdef = \log_{3} 9 = 2.
🎯 Final Answer
Correct Answer: 2

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