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Turkey TST 1996 Problem 1, find a_1996

Source: Turkey TST 1996 Problem 1

September 28, 2011
algebra proposedalgebra

Problem Statement

Let n=11996(1+nx3n)=1+a1xk1+a2xk2+...+amxkm \prod_{n=1}^{1996}{(1+nx^{3^n})}= 1+ a_{1}x^{k_{1}}+ a_{2}x^{k_{2}}+...+ a_{m}x^{k_{m}}
where a1,a1,...,ama_{1}, a_{1}, . . . , a_{m} are nonzero and k1<k2<...<kmk_{1} < k_{2} <...< k_{m}. Find a1996a_{1996}.