All Logarithms, Surds and Indices Questions from CAT previous

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 Questions
Instructions
For the following questions answer them individually

Question 1
7
5 3x−y 875 4a 2a
If ( ) = 2401 and ( b )6x−y =( b )y−6x, for all non-zero real values of a and b, then the value of x + y is

Answer:14

 Video Solution

Explanation:
7
5 3x−y 875
( ) = 2401
( 3x−y)
7 2 125
(5 ) = 343
( 3x−y)
7 2 7 −3
(5 ) = (5 )
3x-y = -6
4a 2a
( b )6x−y =( b )y−6x

Therefor, y=6x as the bases are different so the power should be zero for the results to be equal.

3x-y=-6

or, 3x - 6x = -6

or x= 2

y= 6x = 12

x+y = 14

Question 2
log 15 a+log 32 a
For a real number a, if (log 15 a)(log 32 a) = 4 then a must lie in the range

A 2<a<3

B 3<a<4

C 4<a<5

D a>5
Answer: C

 Video Solution

Explanation:
log 15 a+log 32 a
We have : (log 15 a)(log 32 a) =4
log a log a
( log 15 + log 32
log a log a
)
log 15 × log 32
We get =4
we get log a (log 32+ log 15) = 4 (log a )2
we get (log 32 + log 15) = 4 log a
=log 480 = log a 4
=a 4 = 480
so we can say a is between 4 and 5 .

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Question 3

If log2 [3 + log3 {4 + log4 (x − 1)}] − 2 = 0 then 4x equals

Answer:5

 Video Solution

Explanation:
We have :
log2 {3 + log3 {4 + log4 (x − 1)}} = 2
we get 3 + log3 {4 + log4 (x − 1)} = 4
we get log3 (4 + log4 (x − 1) = 1)
we get 4 + log4 (x − 1) = 3
log4 (x − 1) = −1
x-1 = 4^-1
1 5
x= 4 +1 = 4
4x = 5

Question 4
1
If 5 − log10 1 + x + 4 log10 1 − x = log10 1−x2 , then 100x equals

Answer:99

 Video Solution

Explanation:
1
5 − log10 1 + x + 4 log10 1 − x = log10 1−x2

We can re-write the equation as: 5 − log10 1 + x + 4 log10 1 − x = log10 ( 1 + x × 1 − x)−1

5 − log10 1 + x + 4 log10 1 − x = (−1) log10 ( 1 + x) + (−1) log10 ( 1 − x)

5 = − log10 1 + x + log10 1 + x − log10 1 − x − 4 log10 1−x

5 = −5 log10 1−x
1
1−x= 10
1
Squaring both sides: ( 1 − x)2 = 100
1 99
∴ x=1− 100 = 100
99
Hence, 100 x = 100 × 100 = 99
Question 5
a b
The value of loga( b ) + logb( a ), for 1 < a ≤ b cannot be equal to

A 0

B -1

C 1

D -0.5

Answer: C

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  Video Solution

Explanation:
On expanding the expression we get 1 − loga b + 1 − logb a
1
or 2 − (loga b + log b a )

1
(log a b+ logb a ) 1
Now applying the property of AM>=GM, we get that 2 ≥ 1 or (loga b + log b a ) ≥ 2 Hence from here we can conclude that
the expression will always be equal to 0 or less than 0. Hence any positive value is not possible. So 1 is not possible.

Question 6
2×4×8×16
(log 2 4)2 (log 4 8)3 (log 8 16)4 equals

Answer:24

 Video Solution

Explanation:
(2⋅4⋅8⋅16 )
3 4
(log 2 2 2 )2 ⋅ (log 2 2 2 3 ) ⋅ (log 2 3 2 4 ) ⋅

2 10
3 3 4 4
= 4⋅( 2 ) ⋅( 3 ) = 24

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Question 7
1 1
If a,b,c are non-zero and 14a = 36b = 84c, then 6b( c − a ) is equal to

Answer:3

 Video Solution

Explanation:
Let 14a = 36b = 84c = k
=> a = log14 k , b = log36 k, c=log84 k
1 1 1
6b( c − a ) = 6 ⋅ 2 log6 k (logk 84 − logk 14) = 3
Question 8
5 1
If loga 30 = A, loga( 3 ) = −B and log2 a = 3 , then log3 a equals

2
A A+B−3

2
B A+B −3
A+B
C 2 −3
A+B−3
D 2

Answer: A

 Video Solution

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Explanation:
loga 30 = A or loga 5 + loga 2 + loga 3 = A...........(1)
5
loga ( 3 ) = −B or loga 3 − loga 5 = B.............(2)
and finally loga 2 = 3
Substituting this in (1) we get loga 5 + loga 3 = A − 3
Now we have two equations in two variables (1) and (2) . On solving we get
(A+B−3 ) 2
loga 3 = 2 or log3 a = A+B−3

Question 9

If log4 5 = (log4 y)(log6 5), then y equals

Answer:36

 Video Solution

Explanation:
log 5 log y log 5
2 log 2 = 2 log 2 ⋅ 2 log 6

log 36 = log y; ∴ y = 36

Question 10

If x = (4096)7+4 3 , then which of the following equals to 64?

x7
A x2 3

7
x 24
B x
3

7
x2
C
x2 3

x7
D x4 3

Answer: C

 Video Solution

Explanation:
x = 212 (7+4 3)
.
7
x = 242 (7+4
2 3)

3 3 (7+4 3)
x2 = 224
7
x2
x2 3 = 2(7+4 3 )(42−24 3)
= 2(7+4 3 )(7−4 3 )6
= 26 .

Hence C is correct answer.

Question 11
2
If Y is a negative number such that 2Y (log 3 5) = 5log 2 3 , then Y equals to:

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 1
A log2 ( 5 )
1
B log2 ( 3 )
1
C − log2 ( 5 )
1
D − log2 ( 3 )
Answer: B

 Video Solution

Explanation:
2 2
2Y (log 3 5) = 5Y (log 3 2)

2
Given, 5Y (log 3 2 ) = 5(log 2 3 )
=> Y 2 (log3 2) = (log2 3) => Y 2 = (log2 3)2
=>Y = (− log2 3) or (log2 3)
1
since Y is a negative number, Y=(− log2 3) = (log2 3 )
Question 12

Let x and y be positive real numbers such that

log5 (x + y) + log5 (x − y) = 3, and log2 y − log2 x = 1 − log2 3. Then xy equals

A 150

B 25

C 100

D 250

Answer: A

 Video Solution

Explanation:
We have, log5 (x + y) + log5 (x − y) =3
=> x2 − y2 = 125......(1)
log2 y − log2 x = 1 − log2 3
y 2
=> x = 3
3y
=> 2x=3y => x= 2

On substituting the value of x in 1, we get

5x2
4 =125

=>y=10, x=15

Hence xy=150

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Question 13

If m and n are integers such that (√2)19 34 42 9m8n = 3n16m( 4 64) then m is

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A -20

B -24

C -12

D -16

Answer: C

 Video Solution

Explanation:
We have, (√2)19 34 42 9m8n = 3n16m( 4 64)
Converting both sides in powers of 2 and 3, we get
19 6
2 2
34 24 32m23n = 3n24m2 4
19 6
Comparing the power of 2 we get, 2 + 4 + 3n = 4m + 4

=> 4m=3n+12 .....(1)

Comparing the power of 3 we get, 4 + 2m = n

Substituting the value of n in (1), we get

4m=3(4+2m)+12

=> m=-12

Question 14
1 1
If (5.55)x = (0.555)y = 1000, then the value of x − y is

1
A 3

B 3

C 1

2
D 3

Answer: A

 Video Solution

Explanation:
We have, (5.55)x = (0.555)y = 1000
Taking log in base 10 on both sides,

x( log10 555-2) = y(log10 555-3) = 3

Then, x( log10 555-2) = 3.....(1)

y(log10 555-3) = 3 .....(2)

From (1) and (2)

3 3
=> log10 555= x +2= y +3
1 1 1
=> x − y = 3

Question 15

The real root of the equation 26x + 23x+2 − 21 = 0 is

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 log2 9
A

log 2 3
B 3

C log2 27
log 2 7
D 3

Answer: B

 Video Solution

Explanation:
Let 23x = v

26x + 23x+2 − 21 = 0
= v2 + 4v − 21 = 0
=(v+7)(v-3)=0

v=3, -7

23x = 3 or 23x = -7(This can be negated)

3x=log2 3

x=log2 3/3

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Question 16

If p3 = q 4 = r 5 = s 6 , then the value of logs(pqr) is equal to

47
A 10

24
B 5

16
C 5

D 1
Answer: A

 Video Solution

Explanation:
Given that, p3 = q 4 = r5 = s 6

p3 =s6
6
p = s 3 = s 2 ...(1)
6 3
Similarly, q = s 4 = s 2 ...(2)
6
Similarly, r = s 5 ...(3)

⇒ logs(pqr)
By substituting value of p, q, and r from equation (1), (2) and (3)
3 6
⇒ logs(s2 ∗ s 2 ∗ s 5 )
47
⇒ logs(s 10 )

47
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 47
⇒ 10

Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Question 17
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
log2 100 − log4 100 + log5 100 − log10 100 + log20 100 − log25 100 + log50 100 =?

1
A 2

B 10

C 0

D −4

Answer: A

 Video Solution

Explanation:
1 logxa
We know that log a b = log xb

1 log10 2
Therefore, we can say that log 2 100 = log 10 100

1 1 1 1 1 1 1
⇒ log2 100 − log4 100 + log5 100 − log10 100 + log20 100 − log25 100 + log50 100

log10 2 log10 4 log10 5 log10 10 log10 20 log10 25 log10 50

⇒ log 10 100 - log 10 100 + log 10 100 - log 10 100 + log 10 100 - log 10 100 + log 10 100

We know that log10 100 = 2

1
⇒ 2 ∗ [log10 2 − log10 4 + log10 5 − log10 10 + log10 20 − log10 25 + log10 50]
1 2 ∗ 5 ∗ 20 ∗ 50
⇒ 2 ∗ [log10 4 ∗ 10 ∗ 25 ]
1
⇒ 2 ∗ [log10 10]
1
⇒2

Question 18

If N and x are positive integers such that N N = 2160 and N 2 + 2N is an integral multiple of 2x, then the largest possible x is

Answer:10

 Video Solution

Explanation:
It is given that N N = 2160
We can rewrite the equation as N N = (25 )160/5 = 3232
⇒ N = 32
N 2 + 2N = 322 + 232 = 210 + 232 = 210 ∗ (1 + 222 )
Hence, we can say that N 2 + 2N can be divided by 210

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Therefore, xmax = 10

Question 19

If log2 (5 + log3 a) = 3 and log5 (4a + 12 + log2 b) = 3, then a + b is equal to

A 59

B 40

C 32

D 67

Answer: A

 Video Solution

Explanation:
log2 (5 + log3 a) = 3
=>5 + log3 a = 8
=> log3 a = 3
or a = 27

log5 (4a + 12 + log2 b) = 3

=>4a + 12 + log2 b = 125
Putting a = 27, we get
log2 b = 5
or, b = 32

So, a + b = 27 + 32 = 59
Hence, option A is the correct answer.

Question 20
1
Given that x2018 y2017 = 2 , and x2016 y2019 = 8, then value of x2 + y3 is

31
A 4

35
B 4

37
C 4

33
D 4

Answer: D

 Video Solution

Explanation:
1
Given that x2018 y2017 = 2 ... (1)

x2016 y2019 = 8 ... (2)

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Equation (2)/ Equation (1)

y2 8
x = 1/2
2

y
x = 4 or −4
y
Case 1: When x = 4

1
x2018 (4x)2017 = 2
1
x2018+2017 (2)4034 =2
1
4035
x4035 = (2)

1
x= 2
y
Since, x = 4, => y = 2

1 33
Therefore, x2 + y3 = 4 +8= 4
y
Case 2: When x = −4

1
x2018 (−4x)2017 = 2
−1
x2018+2017 (2)4034 = 2
1
(−2) 4035
x4035 =

−1
x= 2
y
Since, x = −4, => y = 2

1 33
Therefore, x2 + y3 = 4 + 8 = 4 . Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Question 21
4−p
If log12 81 = p, then 3( 4 + p ) is equal to

A log4 16

B log6 16

C log2 8
D log6 8
Answer: D

 Video Solution

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Explanation:
Given that: log12 81 =p
1
⇒ log81 12 = p
4
⇒ log3 3 ∗ 4 = p
4
⇒ 1 + log3 4 = p

Using Componendo and Dividendo,

1 + log3 4 − 1 4−p
⇒ 1 + log3 4 + 1 = 4 + p

log3 4 4−p
⇒ 2 + log 3 4 = 4+p

log3 4 4−p
⇒ log 3 9 + log 3 4 = 4+p

log3 4 4−p
⇒ log 3 36 = 4+p

4−p 3 log3 4
⇒ 3 ∗ 4 + p = log3 36

4−p log3 64
⇒ 3 ∗ 4 + p = log3 36

4−p
⇒ 3 ∗ 4 + p = log36 64
4−p
⇒ 3 ∗ 4 + p = log6 2 82 = log6 8. Hence, option D is the correct answer.

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Question 22

If x is a positive quantity such that 2x = 3log 5 2 . then x is equal to

A log5 8
5
B 1 + log3 ( 3 )

C log5 9
3
D 1 + log5 ( 5 )
Answer: D

 Video Solution

Explanation:
Givne that: 2x = 3log 5 2
⇒ 2x = 2log 5 3

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⇒ x = log5 3
3∗5
⇒ x = log5 5
3
⇒ x = log5 5 + log5 5
3
⇒ x = 1 + log5 5 . Hence, option D is the correct answer.

Question 23

If log(2a × 3b × 5c)is the arithmetic mean of log(22 × 33 × 5), log(26 × 3 × 57 ), and log(2 × 32 × 54 ), then a equals

Answer:3

 Video Solution

Explanation:
log(2 2 ×3 3 ×5)+log(2 6 ×3×5 7 )+log(2×3 2 ×5 4 )
log(2a × 3b × 5c) = 3

log(2 2+6+1 ×3 3+1+2 ×5 1+7+4 )

log(2a × 3b × 5c) = 3

log(2 9 ×3 6 ×5 12 )
log(2a × 3b × 5c) = 3

3log(2a × 3b × 5c) = log(29 × 36 × 512 )

Hence, 3a = 9 or a = 3

Question 24
1
If 9x− 2 − 22x−2 = 4x − 32x−3 , then x is

A 3/2

B 2/5

C 3/4

D 4/9

Answer: A

 Video Solution

Explanation: 1
It is given that 9x− 2 − 22x−2 = 4x − 32x−3
Let us try to reduce them to powers of3 and 2
The given equation can be reduced to 32x−1 + 32x−3 = 22x + 22x−2
Hence, 32x−3 × 10 = 22x−2 × 5
Therefore, 32x−3 = 22x−3

This is possible only if 2x − 3 = 0 or x = 3/2

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Question 25

If x is a real number such that log3 5 = log5 (2 + x), then which of the following is true?

A 0<x<3

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 23 < x < 30
B

C x > 30

D 3 < x < 23

Answer: D

 Video Solution

Explanation:
1 < log3 5 < 2
=> 1 < log5 (2 + x) < 2
=> 5 < 2 + x < 25
=> 3 < x < 23

Question 26

If 92x−1 − 81x−1 = 1944, then x is

A 3

B 9/4

C 4/9

D 1/3

Answer: B

 Video Solution

Explanation:
81 x 81 x
9 − 81 = 1944
1 1
81x ∗ [9 − 81 ] = 1944
1
81x ∗ [ 81 ] = 243
34x = 39
9
x= 4

Question 27

The value of log0.008 5 + log 3 81 − 7 is equal to

A 1/3

B 2/3

C 5/6

D 7/6
Answer: C

 Video Solution

Explanation:
log0.008 5 + log 3 81 −7
8 23 1
81 = 34 and 0.008 = 1000 = 10 3 = 53 = 5−3

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Hence,

log0.008 5+8−7
1
log5 −3 5 + 8 − 7 2

log5 0.5
log5 −3 +1
1
−6 + 1
5
=6

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Question 28

Suppose, log3 x = log12 y = a , where x, y are positive numbers. If G is the geometric mean of x and y, and log6 G is equal to

A a

B 2a

C a/2

D a

Answer: D

 Video Solution

Explanation:
We know that log3 x = a and log12 y = a
Hence, x = 3 and y = 12a
a

Therefore, the geometric mean of x and y equals x×y

This equals 3a × 12a = 6a
Hence, G = 6a Or, log6 G = a
Question 29

Which of the following is true?

2
A 7(3 ) = (73 )2
2
B 7(3 ) > (73 )2
2
C 7(3 ) < (73 )2

D None of these

Answer: B

 Video Solution

Explanation:
2
7(3 ) = 79
(73 )2 = 76
2
So 7(3 ) > (73 )2
Question 30

If log2 log7 (x2 − x + 37) = 1, then what could be the value of ‘x’?

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A 3

B 5

C 4

D None of these

Answer: C

 Video Solution

Explanation:
log2 log7 (x2 − x + 37) = 1
log7 (x2 − x + 37) = 2
(x2 − x + 37) = 72
Given eq. can be reduced to x2 − x + 37 = 49
So x can be either -3 or 4.

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411
Question 31 2+13− 2
3− 411
1
1+ 3 2− 2
3+
3−
Find the value of +

13
A 7

15
B 7

11
C 21

17
D 28

Answer: B

 Video Solution
411
2 3−
Explanation:
2+1
3−
1
1+

4 51
1 2
2+
3−
1
1+

142
1 2+ 5
3−
1+
=

1 120
1+ 3− 12
=

11
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 1 120
1+ 3− 12
=

1 12
= 1+ 16
1
28
= 16
16
= 28
33 11
Similarly, Second term can be reduced to 21 or 7
11 4 15
Sum will be = 7 + 7 = 7

Question 32

273 − 272 − 271 is the same as

A 269

B 270

C 271

D 272
Answer: C

 Video Solution

Explanation:
271 (22 − 21 − 1)
271 (4 − 2 − 1)
271
Question 33
(1+x)
If f(x) = log (1−x) , then f(x) + f(y) is

A f(x + y)
(x+y)
B f (1+xy)

1
C (x + y)f (1+xy)

f(x)+f(y)
D (1+xy)

Answer: B

 Video Solution

Explanation:
(1+x) (1+y)
If f(x) = log (1−x) then f(y) = log (1−y)
Also Log (A*B)= Log A + Log B
(1+x)(1+y)
f(x)+f(y) = log (1−x)(1−y)
(1+xy +x +y)
=log (1+xy−x−y)

Dividing numberator and denominator by (1+xy)

( 1+xy +x +y)

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 ( 1+xy +x +y)
1+xy
( 1+xy−x−y)
log 1+xy

1+xy ( x+y)
1+xy + 1+xy
1+xy ( x+y)
1+xy − 1+xy
=log
(x+y)
1+ (1+xy)
(x+y)

= log 1− (1+xy)

Hence option B.

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Question 34

If x >= y and y > 1, then the value of the expression logx(x/y) + logy(y/x) can never be

A -1

B -0.5

C 0

D 1

Answer: D

 Video Solution

Explanation:
logx(x/y) + logy(y/x) = 1 − logx(y) + 1 − logy(x)
= 2 − (log xy + 1/log xy) <= 0 (Since log xy + 1/log xy >= 2)
So, the value of the expression cannot be 1.

Question 35

If log yx = (a ∗ logzy) = (b ∗ logxz) = ab, then which of the following pairs of values for (a, b) is not possible?

A (-2, 1/2)

B (1,1)

C (0.4, 2.5)

D (π, 1/ π)

E (2,2)

Answer: E

 Video Solution

Explanation:
logyx = ab
a ∗ logzy = ab => logzy = b
b ∗ logxz = ab => logxz = a
logyx = logzy ∗ logxz => logx/logy = logy/logz ∗ logz/logx
logx logy
=> logy= logx
=> (logx)2 = (logy)2
=> logx = logy or logx = −logy
So, x = y or x = 1/y

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So, ab = 1 or -1
Option 5) is not possible

Question 36

Which among 21/2 , 31/3 , 41/4 , 61/6 , and 121/12 is the largest?

A 21/2

B 31/3

C 41/4

D 61/6

E 121/12
Answer: B

 Video Solution

Explanation:
Make the power equal and compare the denominators.

21/2 can be written as 641/12

31/3 can be written as 811/12
41/4 can be written as 641/12
61/6 can be written as 361/12
Among these, 811/12 is the greatest => 31/3 is the greatest.

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Question 37

If x = -0.5, then which of the following has the smallest value?

A 21/x

B 1/x

C 1/x2

D 2x

E 1/ −x
Answer: B

 Video Solution

Explanation:
2p is always positive
x2 is always non negative.
1/ −x is always positive.
1
x is negative when x is negative.
1
In this case, x is negative => x is smallest.

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Question 38

Let u = (log2 x)2 − 6log2 x + 12 where x is a real number. Then the equation xu = 256, has

A no solution for x

B exactly one solution for x

C exactly two distinct solutions for x

D exactly three distinct solutions for x

Answer: B

 Video Solution

Explanation:
xu = 256
Taking log to the base 2 on both the sides,

u ∗ log2 x = log2 256

=>[(log2 x)2 − 6log2 x + 12] ∗ log2 x = 8
(log2 x)3 − 6(log2 x)2 + 12log2 x = 8
Let log 2 x =t
t3 − 6t2 + 12t − 8 = 0
(t − 2)3 = 0
Therefore, log 2 x =2
=> x = 4 is the only solution
Hence, option B is the correct answer.

Question 39

If log 3 2, log 3 (2x − 5), log 3 (2x − 7/2) are in arithmetic progression, then the value of x is equal to

A 5

B 4

C 2

D 3

Answer: D

 Video Solution

Explanation:
2log(2x − 5) = log2 + log(2x − 7/2)
Let 2x = t
=> (t − 5)2 = 2(t − 7/2)
=> t2 + 25 − 10t = 2t − 7
=> t2 − 12t + 32 = 0
=> t = 8, 4
Therefore, x = 2 or 3, but 2x > 5, so x = 3

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