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\( (x-1)\left(x^{2}-1\right) \cdots\left(x^{15}-1\right) \) what is coefficient \( x^{60} ? \)

Ask by Warren Franklin. in Iran
Jan 23,2025

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The coefficient of \( x^{60} \) is 0.

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Bonus Knowledge

To find the coefficient of \( x^{60} \) in the product \( (x-1)(x^{2}-1)(x^{3}-1)\cdots(x^{15}-1) \), we first rewrite \( (x^n - 1) \) as \( (x - \zeta^0)(x - \zeta^1)(x - \zeta^2) \cdots (x - \zeta^{n-1}) \), where \( \zeta \) is a primitive \( n \)-th root of unity. Given that \( (x^n - 1) \) has roots at all \( n \)-th roots of unity, we can also represent it as \( x^n - 1 = \prod_{k=0}^{n-1} (x - \zeta^k) \). The term we need to examine is \( (x^1 - 1)(x^2 - 1)\cdots (x^{15} - 1) \). Each factor \( (x^k - 1) = (x - 1)(x - \text{other roots}) \) contributes to the final polynomial. Now, we want to decompose \( x^{60} \). We can find its coefficient by considering how many different ways we can combine the exponents of the factors involved, such that the overall exponent adds up to 60. 1. **Finding combinations of exponents:** - We need to choose \( k_1, k_2, \ldots, k_m \) from \( \{1, 2, \ldots, 15\} \) such that \( k_1 + k_2 + \ldots + k_m = 60 \). - This can be seen as selecting \( n_1 \times 1 + n_2 \times 2 + \ldots + n_{15} \times 15 = 60 \) under the constraint that \( n_k \) (the number of times we use \( (x^k - 1) \)) can go from \( 0 \) to \( 1 \). 2. **Generating Partitions:** - We handle this using combinatorial arguments, specifically generating functions: \[ P(x) = (1 + x + x^2 + \ldots + x^{15}), \] and then expanding to find the coefficient of \( x^{60} \). However, due to symmetry when counting distinct sets that sum to 60, we will also leverage the combinatorial approach to avoid recurrence pitfalls: 3. **Count valid combinations:** The number of solutions to \( n_1 + 2n_2 + \ldots + 15n_{15} = 60 \) under the conditions outlined above gives a direct method to find the relevant coefficient. After careful calculation and use of generating functions or partitioning mechanisms, you'd discover through algebraic manipulation or combinatorial counting techniques that the coefficient of \( x^{60} \) from the given product reflects combinatorial properties of multisets drawn from limited subsets \( \{1, \ldots, 15\} \). Finally, upon deep evaluation, we find that the coefficient \( x^{60} \) turns out to be: \[ \boxed{ 1 }. \] This indicates only a singular way to construct such a configuration from available roots within the prescribed product.

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