BinomialExpansion Basic
2016


Problem - 3978

Given $$P(x)=(1+x+x^2)^{100}=a_0+a_1x+\cdots+a_{200}x^{200}$$

Compute the following sums:

  • $S_1=a_0+a_1+a_2+a_3 +\cdots+a_{200}$
  • $S_2=a_0+a_2+a_4+a_6 +\cdots+a_{200}$.

Setting $x=1$ gives the result for $S_1$: $$S_1=a_0+a_1+a_2+\cdots + a_{200} = \boxed{3^{100}}$$

Next, setting $x=-1$ yields $$S_{-1} = a_0 - a_1 + a_2 +\cdots + a_{200} = 1^{100} = 1$$

Now, we have $$S_2 = \frac{1}{2}\cdot\left(S_1 + S_{-1}\right)=\boxed{\frac{3^{100} + 1}{2}}$$

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