MathDB
Polynomial Coefficients

Source:

December 22, 2005
algebrapolynomialratiobinomial theoremAIME

Problem Statement

The polynomial 1x+x2x3++x16x171-x+x^2-x^3+\cdots+x^{16}-x^{17} may be written in the form a0+a1y+a2y2++a16y16+a17y17a_0+a_1y+a_2y^2+\cdots +a_{16}y^{16}+a_{17}y^{17}, where y=x+1y=x+1 and thet aia_i's are constants. Find the value of a2a_2.