2016 AIME II Problems/Problem 6

For polynomial $P(x)=1-\dfrac{1}{3}x+\dfrac{1}{6}x^{2}$ , define $Q(x)=P(x)P(x^{3})P(x^{5})P(x^{7})P(x^{9})=\sum_{i=0}^{50} a_ix^{i}$ . Then $\sum_{i=0}^{50} |a_i|=\dfrac{m}{n}$ , where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m+n$ .

Solution

Note that all the odd coefficients have an odd number of odd degree terms multiplied together, and all the even coefficients have an even number of odd degree terms multiplied together. Since every odd degree term is negative, and every even degree term is positive, the sum is just equal to $Q(-1)=P(-1)^{5}=\left( \dfrac{3}{2}\right)^{5}=\dfrac{243}{32}$ , so the desired answer is $243+32=\boxed{275}$ .

Solution by Shaddoll

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2016 AIME II Problems/Problem 6

Solution