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Difference between revisions of "1986 AIME Problems/Problem 11"

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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
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The [[polynomial]] <math>1-x+x^2-x^3+\cdots+x^{16}-x^{17}</math> may be written in the form <math>a_0+a_1y+a_2y^2+\cdots +a_{16}y^{16}+a_{17}y^{17}</math>, where <math>y=x+1</math> and the <math>a_i</math>'s are [[constant]]s. Find the value of <math>a_2</math>.
  
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__TOC__
 
== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
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=== Solution 1 ===
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Using the [[geometric series]] formula, <math>1 - x + x^2 + \cdots - x^{17} = \frac {1 - x^{18}}{1 + x} = \frac {1-x^{18}}{y}</math>. Since <math>x = y - 1</math>, this becomes <math>\frac {1-(y - 1)^{18}}{y}</math>. We want <math>a_2</math>, which is the coefficient of the <math>y^3</math> term in <math>-(y - 1)^{18}</math> (because the <math>y</math> in the denominator reduces the degrees in the numerator by <math>1</math>). By the [[Binomial Theorem]], this is <math>(-1) \cdot (-1)^{15}{18 \choose 3} = \boxed{816}</math>.
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=== Solution 2 ===
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Again, notice <math>x = y - 1</math>. So
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<cmath>\begin{align*}1 - x + x^2 + \cdots - x^{17} & = 1 - (y - 1) + (y - 1)^2 - (y - 1)^3 + \cdots - (y - 1)^{17} \\
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& = 1 + (1 - y) + (1 - y)^2 + (1 - y)^3 \cdots + (1 - y)^{17}\end{align*}.</cmath>
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We want the coefficient of the <math>y^2</math> term of each power of each binomial, which by the binomial theorem is <math>{2\choose 2} + {3\choose 2} + \cdots + {17\choose 2}</math>. The [[Hockey Stick Identity]] tells us that this quantity is equal to <math>{18\choose 3} = \boxed{816}</math>.
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=== Solution 3 ===
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Again, notice <math>x=y-1</math>. Substituting <math>y-1</math> for <math>x</math> in <math>f(x)</math> gives:
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<cmath>\begin{align*}1 - x + x^2 + \cdots - x^{17} & = 1 - (y - 1) + (y - 1)^2 - (y - 1)^3 + \cdots - (y - 1)^{17} \\
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& = 1 + (1 - y) + (1 - y)^2 + (1 - y)^3 \cdots + (1 - y)^{17}\end{align*}.</cmath>
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From binomial theorem, the coefficient of the <math>y^2</math> term is <math>{2\choose 0} + {3\choose 1} + \cdots + {17\choose 15}</math>. This is actually the sum of the first 16 triangular numbers, which evaluates to <math>\frac{(16)(17)(18)}{6} = \boxed{816}</math>.
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=== Solution 4(calculus) ===
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Let <math>f(x)=1-x+x^2-x^3+\cdots+x^{16}-x^{17}</math> and <math>g(y)=a_0+a_1y+a_2y^2+\cdots +a_{16}y^{16}+a_{17}y^{17}</math>.
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Then, since <math>f(x)=g(y)</math>,
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<cmath>\frac{d^2f}{dx^2}=\frac{d^2g}{dy^2}</cmath>
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<math>\frac{d^2f}{dx^2} = 2\cdot 1 - 3\cdot 2x+\cdots-17\cdot 16x^{15}</math> by the power rule.
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Similarly, <math>\frac{d^2g}{dy^2} = a_2(2\cdot 1) + a_3(3\cdot 2y)+\cdots+a_{17}(17\cdot 16y^{15})</math>
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Now, notice that if <math>x = -1</math>, then <math>y = 0</math>, so <math>f^{''}(-1) = g^{''}(0)</math>
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<math>g^{''}(0)= 2a_2</math>, and <math>f^{''}(-1) = 2\cdot 1 + 3\cdot 2 +\cdots + 16\cdot 17</math>.
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Now, we can use the hockey stick theorem to see that <math>2\cdot 1 + 3\cdot 2 +\cdots + 16\cdot 17 = 2\binom{18}{3}</math>
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Thus, <math>2a_2 = 2\binom{18}{3}\rightarrow a_2 = \binom{18}{3}=\boxed{816}</math>
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-AOPS81619
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=== Solution 5 (Linear Algebra) ===
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Let <math>V</math> be the vector space of polynomials of degree <math>\leq 17, </math> and let <math>B = \{1, x, x^2, ..., x^{17} \}</math> and <math>C = \{1, (x+1), (x+1)^2, ..., (x+1)^{17} \}</math> be two bases for <math>V</math>.
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Let <math>\vec{v} \in V</math> be the polynomial given in the problem, and it is easy to see that <math>[ \vec{v} ]_B = \langle 1, -1, 1, -1, ... , 1, -1 \rangle.</math>
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Note that the transformation matrix from <math>C</math> to <math>B</math> can be easily found to be <math>P_{C \to B} = [ [\vec{c_1}]_B [\vec{c_2}]_B ... [\vec{c_3}]_B ] = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{0}{0} & \tbinom{1}{0} & \tbinom{2}{0} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{0} \\ 0 & \tbinom{1}{1} & \tbinom{2}{1} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{1} \\ 0 & 0 & \tbinom{2}{2} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{2} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{17} \end{bmatrix} .</math>
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I claim that <math>P_{B \to C} = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{0}{0} & -\tbinom{1}{0} & \tbinom{2}{0} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{0} \\ 0 & \tbinom{1}{1} & -\tbinom{2}{1} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{1} \\ 0 & 0 & \tbinom{2}{2} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{2} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{17} \end{bmatrix} ,</math> where the term <math>\dbinom{n}{k}</math> is negated if <math>n+k</math> is odd.
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One can prove that the <math>i</math>th row of <math>P_{C \to B}</math> dotted with the <math>j</math>th column of <math>P_{B \to C}</math> is <math>\delta_{i, j}</math> by using combinatorial identities, which is left as an exercise for the reader. Thus, since the two matrices multiply to form <math>\mathbb{I}_{18},</math> we have proved that <math>P_{B \to C} = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{0}{0} & -\tbinom{1}{0} & \tbinom{2}{0} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{0} \\ 0 & \tbinom{1}{1} & -\tbinom{2}{1} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{1} \\ 0 & 0 & \tbinom{2}{2} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{2} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{17} \end{bmatrix} .</math>
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To find the coordinates of <math>\vec{v}</math> under basis <math>C,</math> we compute the product <math>[ \vec{v} ]_C = P_{B \to C} [\vec{v} ]_B = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{0}{0} & -\tbinom{1}{0} & \tbinom{2}{0} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{0} \\ 0 & \tbinom{1}{1} & -\tbinom{2}{1} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{1} \\ 0 & 0 & \tbinom{2}{2} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{2} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{17} \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \\ 1 \\ \vdots \\ -1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} \sum_{n=0}^{17} \tbinom{n}{0} \\ -\sum_{n=1}^{17} \tbinom{n}{1} \\  \sum_{n=2}^{17} \tbinom{n}{2} \\ \vdots \\  -\sum_{n=17}^{17} \tbinom{n}{17} \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{18}{1} \\ - \tbinom{18}{2} \\ \tbinom{18}{3} \\ \vdots \\ -\tbinom{18}{18} \end{bmatrix},</math> where the last equality was obtained via Hockey Stick Identity.
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Thus, our answer is <math>a_2 =  [ [ \vec{v} ]_C ]_3 = \dbinom{18}{3} = \boxed{816}.</math>
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-fidgetboss_4000
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
* [[1986 AIME Problems]]
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{{AIME box|year=1986|num-b=10|num-a=12}}
  
−
{{AIME box|year=1986|num-b=10|num-a=12}}
+
[[Category:Intermediate Algebra Problems]]
 +
{{MAA Notice}}

Latest revision as of 16:51, 9 June 2023

Problem

The polynomial $1-x+x^2-x^3+\cdots+x^{16}-x^{17}$ may be written in the form $a_0+a_1y+a_2y^2+\cdots +a_{16}y^{16}+a_{17}y^{17}$, where $y=x+1$ and the $a_i$'s are constants. Find the value of $a_2$.

Solution

Solution 1

Using the geometric series formula, $1 - x + x^2 + \cdots - x^{17} = \frac {1 - x^{18}}{1 + x} = \frac {1-x^{18}}{y}$. Since $x = y - 1$, this becomes $\frac {1-(y - 1)^{18}}{y}$. We want $a_2$, which is the coefficient of the $y^3$ term in $-(y - 1)^{18}$ (because the $y$ in the denominator reduces the degrees in the numerator by $1$). By the Binomial Theorem, this is $(-1) \cdot (-1)^{15}{18 \choose 3} = \boxed{816}$.

Solution 2

Again, notice $x = y - 1$. So

\begin{align*}1 - x + x^2 + \cdots - x^{17} & = 1 - (y - 1) + (y - 1)^2 - (y - 1)^3 + \cdots - (y - 1)^{17} \\ & = 1 + (1 - y) + (1 - y)^2 + (1 - y)^3 \cdots + (1 - y)^{17}\end{align*}.

We want the coefficient of the $y^2$ term of each power of each binomial, which by the binomial theorem is ${2\choose 2} + {3\choose 2} + \cdots + {17\choose 2}$. The Hockey Stick Identity tells us that this quantity is equal to ${18\choose 3} = \boxed{816}$.

Solution 3

Again, notice $x=y-1$. Substituting $y-1$ for $x$ in $f(x)$ gives: \begin{align*}1 - x + x^2 + \cdots - x^{17} & = 1 - (y - 1) + (y - 1)^2 - (y - 1)^3 + \cdots - (y - 1)^{17} \\ & = 1 + (1 - y) + (1 - y)^2 + (1 - y)^3 \cdots + (1 - y)^{17}\end{align*}. From binomial theorem, the coefficient of the $y^2$ term is ${2\choose 0} + {3\choose 1} + \cdots + {17\choose 15}$. This is actually the sum of the first 16 triangular numbers, which evaluates to $\frac{(16)(17)(18)}{6} = \boxed{816}$.

Solution 4(calculus)

Let $f(x)=1-x+x^2-x^3+\cdots+x^{16}-x^{17}$ and $g(y)=a_0+a_1y+a_2y^2+\cdots +a_{16}y^{16}+a_{17}y^{17}$.

Then, since $f(x)=g(y)$, \[\frac{d^2f}{dx^2}=\frac{d^2g}{dy^2}\] $\frac{d^2f}{dx^2} = 2\cdot 1 - 3\cdot 2x+\cdots-17\cdot 16x^{15}$ by the power rule.

Similarly, $\frac{d^2g}{dy^2} = a_2(2\cdot 1) + a_3(3\cdot 2y)+\cdots+a_{17}(17\cdot 16y^{15})$

Now, notice that if $x = -1$, then $y = 0$, so $f^{''}(-1) = g^{''}(0)$

$g^{''}(0)= 2a_2$, and $f^{''}(-1) = 2\cdot 1 + 3\cdot 2 +\cdots + 16\cdot 17$.

Now, we can use the hockey stick theorem to see that $2\cdot 1 + 3\cdot 2 +\cdots + 16\cdot 17 = 2\binom{18}{3}$

Thus, $2a_2 = 2\binom{18}{3}\rightarrow a_2 = \binom{18}{3}=\boxed{816}$

-AOPS81619

Solution 5 (Linear Algebra)

Let $V$ be the vector space of polynomials of degree $\leq 17,$ and let $B = \{1, x, x^2, ..., x^{17} \}$ and $C = \{1, (x+1), (x+1)^2, ..., (x+1)^{17} \}$ be two bases for $V$. Let $\vec{v} \in V$ be the polynomial given in the problem, and it is easy to see that $[ \vec{v} ]_B = \langle 1, -1, 1, -1, ... , 1, -1 \rangle.$

Note that the transformation matrix from $C$ to $B$ can be easily found to be $P_{C \to B} = [ [\vec{c_1}]_B [\vec{c_2}]_B ... [\vec{c_3}]_B ] = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{0}{0} & \tbinom{1}{0} & \tbinom{2}{0} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{0} \\ 0 & \tbinom{1}{1} & \tbinom{2}{1} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{1} \\ 0 & 0 & \tbinom{2}{2} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{2} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{17} \end{bmatrix} .$

I claim that $P_{B \to C} = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{0}{0} & -\tbinom{1}{0} & \tbinom{2}{0} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{0} \\ 0 & \tbinom{1}{1} & -\tbinom{2}{1} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{1} \\ 0 & 0 & \tbinom{2}{2} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{2} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{17} \end{bmatrix} ,$ where the term $\dbinom{n}{k}$ is negated if $n+k$ is odd.

One can prove that the $i$th row of $P_{C \to B}$ dotted with the $j$th column of $P_{B \to C}$ is $\delta_{i, j}$ by using combinatorial identities, which is left as an exercise for the reader. Thus, since the two matrices multiply to form $\mathbb{I}_{18},$ we have proved that $P_{B \to C} = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{0}{0} & -\tbinom{1}{0} & \tbinom{2}{0} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{0} \\ 0 & \tbinom{1}{1} & -\tbinom{2}{1} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{1} \\ 0 & 0 & \tbinom{2}{2} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{2} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{17} \end{bmatrix} .$

To find the coordinates of $\vec{v}$ under basis $C,$ we compute the product $[ \vec{v} ]_C = P_{B \to C} [\vec{v} ]_B = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{0}{0} & -\tbinom{1}{0} & \tbinom{2}{0} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{0} \\ 0 & \tbinom{1}{1} & -\tbinom{2}{1} & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{1} \\ 0 & 0 & \tbinom{2}{2} & \cdots & -\tbinom{17}{2} \\ \vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \ddots & \vdots \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & \tbinom{17}{17} \end{bmatrix} \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \\ 1 \\ \vdots \\ -1 \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} \sum_{n=0}^{17} \tbinom{n}{0} \\ -\sum_{n=1}^{17} \tbinom{n}{1} \\ \sum_{n=2}^{17} \tbinom{n}{2} \\ \vdots \\ -\sum_{n=17}^{17} \tbinom{n}{17} \end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix} \tbinom{18}{1} \\ - \tbinom{18}{2} \\ \tbinom{18}{3} \\ \vdots \\ -\tbinom{18}{18} \end{bmatrix},$ where the last equality was obtained via Hockey Stick Identity.

Thus, our answer is $a_2 = [ [ \vec{v} ]_C ]_3 = \dbinom{18}{3} = \boxed{816}.$

-fidgetboss_4000

See also

1986 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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