1996 AMC 12 Problem 6

Attempt Problem 6 of the 1996 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 1996 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

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6.

If f(x)=xx+1(x+2)x+3,f(x)=x^{x+1}(x+2)^{x+3}, then f(0)+f(−1)+f(−2)+f(−3)= \begin{gathered} f(0)+f(-1)\\ {}+f(-2)+f(-3)= \end{gathered}
−89-\frac89
00
89\frac89
11
109\frac{10}9
Answer: E
Concepts:exponentsfunction evaluation
Small hint:
Evaluate the four function values separately, paying attention to zero exponents
Big hint:
The terms at x=0x=0 and x=−2x=-2 vanish before any problematic power is needed
Solution:
Direct substitution gives f(0)=0,f(−1)=1,f(−2)=0,f(−3)=19. \begin{aligned} f(0)&=0,\\ f(-1)&=1,\\ f(-2)&=0,\\ f(-3)&=\frac19. \end{aligned} Their sum is 109,\frac{10}{9}, so the correct answer is E.
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