1962 AMC 12 Problem 12

Attempt Problem 12 of the 1962 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1962 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

12.

When (1−1a)6\left(1-\dfrac1a\right)^6 is expanded, the sum of the last three coefficients is:
2222
1111
1010
−10-10
−11-11
Answer: C
Concepts:binomial theoremsummation
Small hint:
The last three terms use powers a−4,a^{-4}, a−5,a^{-5}, and a−6a^{-6}
Big hint:
Include the alternating signs from (−1a)k(-\frac{1}{a})^k
Solution:
The last three terms have coefficients (64),−(65),(66), \binom64,\quad-\binom65,\quad\binom66, so their sum is 15−6+1=10.15-6+1=10.
Thus, the correct answer is C.
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