Analyzing the Setup
The given equation is:
log(x+3)(6x2+28x+30)=5−2log(6x+10)(x2+6x+9)
In JEE Advanced, complexity is often a mask for elegance. Our mission is to peel back that mask by identifying the underlying structure.
The Detective Work of Factorization
The first rule of engagement is to simplify the components. Let us factorize the quadratic expressions:
For 6x2+28x+30, we factor out a 2 to get 2(3x2+14x+15), which simplifies to:
For x2+6x+9, we recognize the perfect square:
The base 6x+10 is simply 2(3x+5). The terms (x+3) and (3x+5) are the heartbeat of this equation.
The Logarithmic Dance
We rewrite the equation using these factors:
log(x+3)[2(3x+5)(x+3)]=5−2log2(3x+5)(x+3)2
Using the product rule logb(mn)=logbm+logbn, the left side becomes:
log(x+3)[2(3x+5)]+log(x+3)(x+3)=log(x+3)[2(3x+5)]+1
On the right side, we use the power rule logb(mn)=nlogbm to bring the exponent of 2 down:
The Elegant Substitution
We define a=log(x+3)[2(3x+5)]. By the base-change property, log2(3x+5)(x+3)=a1.
The equation transforms into:
Multiplying by a, we obtain a2+a=5a−4, which rearranges to:
This factors to (a−2)2=0, yielding the unique solution a=2.
Final Calculation and Rigor
Substituting back, we have log(x+3)[2(3x+5)]=2, which implies:
Expanding this, we get x2+6x+9=6x+10. The 6x terms cancel out, leaving:
We must verify the domain constraints for logarithms (base >0 and $
eq 1$). Both x=1 and x=−1 are valid.
The sum of the solutions is 1+(−1)=0.