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AIME 1986 #11 — Polynomial in y=x+1 Coefficient a₂

2175ExpertPolynomialsAlgebra

AIME · 1986 · Problem 11

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 $a_2$.
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