1996 AHSME Problems/Problem 6

Problem

If $f(x) = x^{(x+1)}(x+2)^{(x+3)}$ , then $f(0)+f(-1)+f(-2)+f(-3) =$

$\text{(A)}\ -\frac{8}{9}\qquad\text{(B)}\ 0\qquad\text{(C)}\ \frac{8}{9}\qquad\text{(D)}\ 1\qquad\text{(E)}\ \frac{10}{9}$

Plugging in $x=0$ into the function will give $0^1\cdot 2^3$ . Since $0^1 = 0$ , this gives $0$ .

Plugging in $x=-1$ into the function will give $(-1)^0 \cdot 1^2$ . Since $(-1)^0 = 1$ and $1^2 = 1$ , this gives $1$ .

Plugging in $x=-2$ will give a $0^1$ factor as the second term, giving an answer of $0$ .

Plugging in $x=-3$ will give $(-3)^{-2}\cdot (-1)^0$ . The last term is $1$ , while the first term is $\frac{1}{(-3)^2} = \frac{1}{9}$

Adding up all four values, the answer is $1 + \frac{1}{9} = \frac{10}{9}$ , and the right answer is $\boxed{E}$ .

1996 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 5	Followed by Problem 7
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