1964 AHSME Problems/Problem 20

Problem 20

The sum of the numerical coefficients of all the terms in the expansion of $(x-2y)^{18}$ is:

$\textbf{(A)}\ 0\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 1\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 19\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ -1\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ -19$

Solution

For any polynomial, even a polynomial with more than one variable, the sum of all the coefficients (including the constant, which is the coefficient of $x^0y^0$) is found by setting all variables equal to $1$. Note that we don't have to worry about whether a constant is a coefficient of an "invisible" $x^0y^0$ term, because there is no such term here.

Setting $x=y=1$ gives $(-1)^{18}$, which is equal to $1$, which is answer $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}}$.

See Also

1964 AHSC (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 19
Followed by
Problem 21
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