The first term of the expression can be rewritten as log2c31log2(a+b)
Using the property nmlogab=logabnm this can be rewritten as
log2clog2(a+b)31
And finally using the property logbclogba=logca, we can rewrite the expression as
logc(a+b)31
Doing identical operations in the second term, we get the entire left-hand side to be:
logc(a+b)31+logc(a−b)31
Using property logca+logcb=logc(ab) we get
logc[(a+b)31(a−b)31]
logc[(a+b)(a−b)]31
logc[(a2−b2)]31
This expression is given to be equal to 2/3
Using the definition of log: logcN=a which is ca=N
we get:c32=(a2−b2)31
Cubing both sides:
c2=a2−b2
Finally giving a2=b2+c2
We have upper limits on b and c as 10, and we want to maximize the value of a squared.
This can be thought of as a right-angled triangle, and the value of a will be maximum when both b and c are equal to 10, giving a2=200, but this would not give an integer value of a
We need to adjust a2 to the biggest square less than 200, which is 196
Giving the value of a as 14.
Therefore, 14 is the correct answer.