2010 UNCO Math Contest II Problems/Problem 8

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Problem

Simplify $(3^1+1)(3^2+1)(3^4+1)(3^8+1)(3^{16}+1)\cdots (3^{1024}+1)$, using exponential notation to express your answer. Generalize this result.


Solution

Let the product = $P$. Then $(3-1)P=3^{2048}-1\implies$ $P=\frac{3^{2048}-1}{2}$

See also

2010 UNCO Math Contest II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 7
Followed by
Problem 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
All UNCO Math Contest Problems and Solutions