BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

BINOMIAL THEOREM n (n  1) (n  2) n 3 3 n (n  1)...(n  r  1)

 a b  ...
3! r! an–r br + ......
If a, b R and n N, then
(a + b)n = nC0 anb0 + nC1 an–1 b1 + nC2 an–2b2 +...+ nCn a0bn (n  1) ( n  2)...(n  r  1) n  r
Here t r 1 r!
a b

REMARKS :

1. If the index of the binomial is n then the expansion THEOREM :

contains n + 1 terms.
If n is any real number, a = 1, b = x and |x| < 1 then
2. In each term, the sum of indices of a and b is always n.
3. Coefficients of the terms in binomial expansion n (n  1) 2 n (n  1) (n  2) 3
equidistant from both the ends are equal. (1 + x)n = 1 + nx + x  x  ...
2! 3!
4. (a–b)n = nC0anb 0 – nC 1an–1 b 1 + nC2an–2b 2– ...+ (–1)n
n
C0a0bn. Here there are infinite number of terms in the expansion,
The general term is given by
GENERAL TERM AND MIDDLE TERMS IN
EXPANSION OF (A + B)N n ( n  1) (n  2)...(n  r  1) x
t r 1 ,r t 0
r!
tr+1 = nCr an–r br
tr+1 is called a general term for all r  N and 0 d r d n.
Using this formula we can find any term of the expansion.
MIDDLE TERM (S) :
1. In (a + b)n if n is even then the number of terms in (i) Expansion is valid only when – 1 < x < 1
the expansion is odd. Therefore there is only one (ii) n
Cr can not be used because it is defined only for
th natural number, so nC r will be written
§ n2·
middle term and it is ¨ ¸ term. n (n  1).........(n  r  1)
© 2 ¹ as
r!
2. In (a + b)n, if n is odd then the number of terms in
(iii) As the series never terminates, the number of terms
the expansion is even. Therefore there are two
in the series is infinite.
middle terms and those are
(iv) General term of the series (1 + x)–n = Tr + 1 o (–1)r
th th
§ n 1 · § n 3· 1  x
¨ ¸ and ¨ ¸ terms. if | x |  |
© 2 ¹ © 2 ¹ 1  x
(v) General term of the series (1 – x) –n o T r + 1
BINOMIAL THEOREM FOR ANY INDEX
(  1) (  2)...(   1)
= x
If n is negative integer then n! is not defined. We state r!
binomial theorem in another form.
(vi) If first term is not 1, then make it unity in the
n n–1 n (n  1) n–2 2 x
(a+b)n = an +
1!
a b+
2!
a b following way. (a  x ) n a n (1  x / a ) n if 1
a
 BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

REMARKS :
BINOMIAL COEFFICIENTS
1. If |x| < 1 and n is any real number, then
The coefficients nC0, nC1, nC2,..., nCn in the expansion of (a+b)n
n (n  1) 2 n (n  1) ( n  2) 3 are called the binomial coefficients and denoted by C0, C1,
(1–x)n = 1–nx + x  x  ...
2! 3! C2, ....., Cn respectively
Now
The general term is given by (1 + x)n = nC0x0 + nC1x1 + nC2x2 + ... + nCnxn ..... (i)
Put x = 1.
(1)r n(n  1)(n  2)...(n  r  1) r
tr 1 x (1 + 1)n = nC0 + nC1 + nC2 + ... + nCn
r!
? 2n = nC0 + nC1 + nC2 +...+ nCn
2. If n is any real number and |b| < |a|, then ? n
C0 + nC1 + nC2 +...+ nCn = 2n
? C0 + C1 + C2 +...+ Cn = 2n
ª § b ·º
n ? The sum of all binomial coefficients is 2n.
(a  b) n «a ¨1  ¸» Put x = –1, in equation (i),
¬ © a ¹¼
(1–1)n = nC0 – nC1 + nC2 – ... + (–1)n nCn
n ? 0 = nC0 – nC1 + nC2 – ... + (–1)n nCn
§ b·
a n ¨1  ¸ ? n
C0 – nC1 + nC2 – nC3 +....+ (–1)n nCn = 0
© a¹
? n
C0 + nC2 + nC4 + ... = nC1 + nC3 + nC5 +...
? C0 + C2 + C4 +... = C1 + C3 + C5 +...
C0, C2, C4, ... are called as even coefficients
C1, C3, C5... are called as odd coefficients

While expanding (a + b)n where n is a negative integer or a Let C0 + C2 + C4 +... = C1 + C3 + C5 +... = k

fraction, reduce the binomial to the form in which the first Now C0 + C1 + C2 + C3+... + Cn = 2n
term is unity and the second term is numerically less than ? (C0 + C2 + C4 +...) + (C1 + C3 + C5...) = 2n
unity. ? k + k = 2n
Particular expansion of the binomials for negative index, 2k = 2n
|x|<1
2n
? k
1 2
1. (1  x ) 1
1 x ? k = 2n–1
? C0 + C2 + C4 + ... = C1 + C3 + C5 +... = 2n–1
= 1 – x + x2 – x3 + x4 – x5 + .....
? The sum of even coefficients = The sum of odd coefficients
1 = 2n–1
2. (1  x )1
1 x
Properties of Binomial Coefficient
2 3 4 5
= 1 + x + x + x + x + x + .....
For the sake of convenience the coefficients
n
1 C0, nC1, ............, nCr,............... nCn are usually denoted by
3. (1  x )  2
(1  x ) 2 C0, C1,......, Cr, .........., Cn respectively.
(i) C0 + C1 + C2 + ............ + Cn = 2n
= 1 – 2x + 3x2 – 4x3 + ..... (ii) C0 – C1 + C2 – ............ + (–1)n Cn = 0
(iii) C0 + C2 + C4 + ............ = C1 + C3 + C5 +.......... = 2n – 1.
1
4. (1  x )  2
(1  x ) 2 (iv)
n
C r1 n
C r2 Ÿ r1 r2or r1  r2 n

= 1 + 2x + 3x2 + 4x3 + ..... (v) nCr + nCr – 1 = n + 1Cr

(vi) rn Cr = nn – 1Cr–1
BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

Some Important Results = (1 + x) (1 + x + x2 + x3 + x4 +...... to f)

= [1 + x + x2 + x3 + x4 + ....... to f] +
n 2 n
(i) (1 + x) = C0 + C1x + C2x + .......... + Cnx , [x + x2 + x3 + x4+ ......... to f]
Putting x = 1 and – 1, we get
= 1 + 2x + 2x2 + 2x3 + 2x4 + 2x5 + ...... to f
C0 + C1 + C2 + ... + Cn = 2n and
Hence coefficient of x4 = 2
C0 – C1 + C2 – C3 + ..........(–1)n Cn = 0
(ii) Differentiating (1 + x)n = C0 + C1x + C2x2 + ........ + Cnxn, Illustration
on both sides we have, n(1 + x)n – 1
Find the square root of 99 correct to 4 places of deicmal.
= C1 + 2C2x + 3C3x2 + ....... +nCnxn – 1 ....(1)
x=1
1
Ÿ n2n – 1 = C1 + 2C2 + 3C3 + ........ + nCn ª § 1 ·º 2
Sol. (99) 1/ 2
(100  1) 1/ 2
«100 ¨1  ¸»
x = –1 ¬ © 100 ¹¼
Ÿ 0 = C1 – 2C2 + ........ +(–1)n – 1 nCn.
Differentiating (1) again and again we will have 1

different results. ª § 1 ·º 2
«100 ¨1  ¸»
(iii) Integrating (1 + x)n, we have, ¬ © 100 ¹ ¼

(1  x ) n 1 C x 2 C x3 C x n 1 = (100)1/2 [1–0]1/2 = 10 (1 – 01)1/2

 C C 0 x  1  2  .........  n
n 1 2 3 n 1
ª 1 1§1 · º
(where C is a constant) « ¨  1¸ »
10 «1  2 ( 01)  © ¹ (01) 2  ........to f»
2 2
1 « 1! 2! »
Put x = 0, we get C = – « »
( n  1) ¬ ¼
Therefore
= 10 [1–0.005 – 0.0000125 + ......... to f]
(1  x)n 1  1 C x 2 C x3 C x n 1 ... (2) = 10 (.9949875) = 9.94987 = 9.9499
C0 x  1  2  .........  n
n 1 2 3 n 1
Multinomial Expansion
Put x = 1 in (2) we get
In the expansion of (x1 + x2 +........ +xn)m where m, n  N and
2 n 1  1 C C
C 0  1  .........  n x1, x2, ..........., xn are independent variables, we have
n 1 2 n 1
(i) Total number of terms = m + n – 1Cn – 1
Put x = – 1 in (2) we get,
(ii) Coefficient of x1r1 x 2 r2 x 3 r3 .........x n rn (where r1 + r2 +
1 C C
C 0  1  2  .............
n 1 2 3 m!
........... + rn = m, ri  N ‰ {0} is
Illustration r1!r2 !.......rn !

Find the coefficient of x 4 in the expansion of (iii) Sum of all the coefficients is obtained by putting all
the variables x1 equal to 1.
1 x
if | x |  1
1 x Illustration

Find the total number of terms in the expansion of

1 x 1 (1 + a + b)10 and coefficient of a2b3.
Sol. (1  x ) (1  x )
1 x
Sol. Total number of terms = 10 + 3 – 1 C3 – 1 =12C2 = 66
(1) ( 1) (1  1)
(1  x ) [1  ( x ) ( x ) 2
1! 2! 10!
Coefficient of a2b3 =
2!u 3!u 5! =2520
(1) ( 1  1) ( 1  2)
 (  x ) 3 .....to f
3!
 BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

SOLVED EXAMPLES

Example – 1 Example – 4

If nC8 = nC6 determine n and hence nC2. Find n, if nC6 : n–3C3 = 33 : 4.

Sol. Given, nC8 = nC6 Sol. Given, nC6 : n–3C3 = 33 : 4.

Ÿn = 8 + 6

Ÿ n = 14 n! 3! n  3  3 ! 33
? u
6! n  6 ! n 3 ! 4
14 u13
Now nC2 = 14C2 91
2!

Example – 2 n! 3! 33 n n 1 n  2 33
or . or
n  3 ! 6! 4 6.5.4 4
If 15C3r = 15Cr+3, find r.

Sol. We know that if nCx = nCy, then x = y or x + y = n

or n(n – 1) (n – 2) = 6.5.33 = 11.3.3.2.5
15
C3r = 15Cr+3
or n(n – 1) (n – 2) = 11.(3.3).(2.5) = 11.10.9 ? n = 11
3
? Either 3r = r + 3 Ÿ r= , Example – 5
2

which is not possible, since r is an integer. Find the value of the expression 47
C4  6 52  j
C3 .
j 1
or 3r + r + 3 = 15 Ÿ r = 3.

Hence r = 3.
52  j
Example – 3 Sol. Given expression = 47
C4  6 C3 .
j 1

Prove that 6 Cr 31
r 1
= 47C4 + (51C3 + 50C3 + 49C3 + 48C3 + 47C3)

= 47C4 + (47C3 + 48C3 + 49C3 + 50C3 + 51C3)

Sol. 6 Cr C1  C2  C3  C4  C
r 1

= (47C4 + 47C3) + (48C3 + 49C3 + 50C3 + 51C3)

5! 5! 5! 5! 5!
    = 48C4 +48C3 + 49C3 + 50C3 + 51C3; [' 47C4 + 47C3 = 48C4]
1!4! 2!3! 3!2! 4!1! 5!10!

= (48C4 + 48C3) + (49C3 + 50C3 + 51C3)

5 5.4 5.4 5
   1
1 2 2 1 = (49C4 + 49C3) + (50C3 + 51C3)

  = (50C4 + 50C3) + 51C3 = 51C4 + 51C3 = 52C4.

 BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

Example – 6 Example – 7
Expand Expand (1 + x + x2)3.

§ 1·
6
Sol. Let y = x + x2. Then,
(i) (2x2 + 3)4 (ii) ¨ 2 x 2  ¸
© x¹ (1 + x + x2)3 = (1 + y)3 = 3C0 + 3C1 y + 3C2 y2 + 3C3 y3
= 1 + 3y + 3y2 + y3 = 1 + 3 (x + x2) + 3 (x + x2)2 + (x + x2)3
Sol. (i) (2x2 + 3)4 =
4
C0 (2x2)4 (3)0 + 4C1 (2x2)3 (3)1 + 4C2 (2x2)2 = 1 + 3 (x + x2) + 3(x2 + 2x3 + x4) + {3C0x3 (x2)0 + 3C1 x3–1 (x2)1

(3)2 + 4C3 (2x2)1 (3)3 + 4C4 (2x2)0 (3)4 + 3C2x3–2 (x2)2 + 3C3 x0 (x2)3}
= 1 + 3 (x + x2) + 3(x2 + 2x3 + x4) + (x3 + 3x4 + 3x5 + x6)
C 0 C 4 1, C1 C3 4½
4 4 4 4

° ° = x6 + 3x5 + 6x4 + 7x3 + 6x2 + 3x + 1

? ® 4 4! 4 u 3u 2! ¾
C
° 2 2 ! 2 ! 2!u 2 6 ° Example – 8
¯ ¿

= (1) 16x8 (1) + 4 (8x6) (3) + 6 (4x4) (9) + 4 (2x2) 27 + (1) (1) 81 Prove that ( 5  1) 5  ( 5  1)5 352
= 16x8 + 96x6 + 216x4 + 216x2 + 81
Sol. ( 5  1)5  ( 5  1)5
6 0
§ 2 1· §1·
¨ 2x  ¸ C 0 (2 x 2 ) 6 ¨ ¸ 
6
(ii)
© x¹ ©x¹
ª 5 C0 ( 5 )5  5 C1 ( 5 )4 (1)  5C 2 ( 5 )3 (1) 2 º
« »
§1·
1
§1·
2
«  5C3 ( 5 ) 2 (1) 3  5C 4 ( 5 ) (1) 4 »
(2 x 2 )5 ¨ ¸ 6 C1  6C 2 (2x 2 ) 4 ¨ ¸  « »
©x¹ ©x¹  C5 ( 5 ) (1)
5 0 5
¬ ¼

3
§1·
6
C3 (2x 2 ) 3 ¨ ¸  6 C 4 ( 2x 2 )1
©x¹ ª 5 C 0 ( 5 ) 5  5 C1 ( 5 ) 4 (1)  5 C 2 ( 5 ) 3 (1) 2 º
« »
«  5 C 3 ( 5 ) 2 (1) 3  5 C 4 ( 5 ) (1) 4 »
4 5 6
§1· 6 2 § 1· 2 0§1· «  5 C 5 ( 5 ) 0 (1) 5 »
¨ ¸  C5 ( 2 x ) ¨ ¸  C 6 (2 x ) ¨ ¸
6
¬ ¼
©x¹ ©x¹ ©x¹

½ ­? 5 C 0 5 C5 1; 5C 4 5; ½
° 6 6 6 6 ° ° °
° C0 C6 1, C1 C5 6 ° ®5 5 5 .4 ¾
° 6! 6 u 5u 4! ° ° C 2 C3 10; 5C1 5°
? ® 6 C2 15 ¾ ¯ 2.1 ¿
° 2!4! 2 u 4! °
°6 6! 6 u 5 u 4 u 3! °
° C3 20 °
¯ 3!3! 3u 2u 3! ¿ ª1(25) 5  5 (25)  10 (5 2 )  10 (5)º
« »
«¬  5 5 1 »¼
1 1
= (1) 64x12 (1) –(6) (32) x10 × + 15 (16) x8 × 2
x x
ª1(25) 5  5 (25)  10 (5 2 )  10 (5)º
1 1 « »
– 20 × 8x × 3 + 154 x4 × 4 ¬« ¼»
6
x x  5 5 1

1 1
 6( 2 x 2 ) u  (1) (1) 6 25 5  125  50 2  50  5 5  1
x5 x
12 1
= 64 x12 – 192x9 + 240x6 – 160x3 + 154 –  25 5  125  50 2  50  5 5  1 = 352
x3 x6
 BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

Example – 9 Example – 12

Using binomial theorem compute (99)5. n

Prove that r60 . Cr 4 .
r n n

Sol. (99)5 = (100–1)5 – 5C0 (100)5 – 5C1 (100)4 + 5C2 (100)3

Sol. (1 + x)n = nC0 x0 + nC1 x+ nC2 x2 + ... + nCn xn

– 5C3 (100)2 + 5C4 (100)1 – 5C5 (100)0
? n
C0 x0 + nC1 x + nC2 x2 + .... + nCn xn = (1 + x)n ....(1)
5 4 3 2
= (100) –5 ×(100) + 10 × (100) – 10 × (100) + 5 × 100 – 1
n
Now 6 r n
. Cr
= 1010 – 5 × 108 + 107 – 105 + 5 × 102 – 1 r 0

= (1010 + 107 + 5 × 102) – (5 × 108 + 105 + 1) = nC0 30 + nC1 31 + nC2 32 + .... + nCn 3n

= (1 + 3)n
= 10010000500 – 500100001 = 9509900499
= 4n.
Example – 10
Example – 13
Use the binomial theorem to find the exact value of (10.1)5.

11
Sol. (10.1)5 = (10 + 0.1)5 § 4·
Find the fifith term in the expansion of ¨ x 2  ¸
© x ¹
= 105 + 5C1 104 (.1) + 5C2 103 (.1)2 + 5C3 102 (.1)3

4
+ 5C4 10 (.1)4 + 5C5 (.1)5 Sol. Let, a = x2, b , n 11
x
= 100000 + 5 × 104 (.1) + 10 × (103) (.01) + 10 × 102 (.001)
For fifth term, r = 4
+5 × 10 (.0001) + 0.00001
? tr+1 = nCr an–r . br
= 100000 + 5000 + 100 + 1 + 0.005 + 0.00001 = 105101. 00501

Example – 11 §4·
4

? t5 = 11C4 (x2)11–4 ¨ ¸
Which number is larger, (1.2)4000 or 800 ? ©x ¹

Sol. (1.2)4000 = (1 + 0.2)4000

11 ! 2 7 44
= 4000C0 + 4000C1 (0.2) + sum of positive terms ? t5 ( x ) u 12
4! 7! x
= 1 + 4000 (0.2) + a positive number

= 1 + 800 + a positive number

11u 10 u 9 u 8 u 7 ! 14 256
? t5 x u 12
> 800 4 u 3 u 2 u 7! x

Hence (1.2)4000 > 800.

? t5 = 330 × 256x2 Ÿ t5 = 84480x2
 BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

Example – 14 Example – 16
8 Find the middle term (s) in the expansion of
§ 3 ·
Find the third term in the expansion of ¨ 2 x 2  ¸
© 2 x¹ 12 11
§ 1 ·
(i) §¨ x  y ·¸ (ii) ¨ x  3 ¸
¨y x¸ © x ¹
3 © ¹
Sol. Let a = 2x2, b ,n 8
2x
For third term, r = 2 x y
tr+1 = nCr an–r br Sol. (i) Let a ,b , n 12
y x
2
8 2 82 § 3 · n is even
C 2 (2 x ) ¨ ¸
© 2x ¹
§ n  2 · § 12  2 · 14
8.7.6 ! 9 ª 8! º ? ¨ ¸ ¨ ¸ 7
( 2 x 2 ) 6 u 2 « 8C 2 » © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹ 2
2!6! 4x ¬ 2!6!¼
7th term is middle term,
8.7 6 12 9
u2 ux u 2 tr+1 = nCr an–r . br
2 4x
= 63 × 64x = 4032x10
10 For 7th term, r = 6
Example – 15
12  6 6
§x· §y·
§ 1·
7 t7 13
C 6 ¨¨ ¸¸ ¨ ¸
Find the middle terms(s) in the expansion of ¨ x 2  ¸ ©y¹ ©x¹
© x¹
6
1 12! § x · § y ·
2
Sol. Let a = x , b = , n = 7 t7 u¨ ¸ u¨ ¸
x 6 !6 ! ¨© y ¸¹ © x ¹
n is odd

§ n 1 · § 7 1 · § n 3· § 7 3· 12 u11 u10 u 9 u 8 u 7 u 6 !

¨ ¸ ¨ ¸ 4 and ¨ ¸ ¨ ¸ 5 t7
© 2 ¹ © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹ 6 u 5 u 4 u 3u 2 u 6 !
4th and 5th terms are middle terms, for t4, r = 3
t7 = 77 × 12 = 924
tr+1 = nCran–r . br
? Middle term = 924
3
7 2 7 3 §1·
t C3 ( x ) ¨ ¸ 1
©x¹ (ii) Let a = x4, b , n 11
x3
7! 1
t4 u (x 2 ) u 3
4!3! x § n  1 · § 11  1 ·
n is odd ¨ ¸ ¨ ¸ 6,
7 u 6 u 5 u 4! 8 1 © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹
t ux u 3
4!u 3 u 2 x
§ n  3 · § 11  3 ·
t4 = 35x5 ¨ ¸ ¨ ¸ 7
For t5, r = 4 © 2 ¹ © 2 ¹

6th and 7th term are middle term,

§1·
t5 7
C 4a 7  4 .b ¨ ¸
©x¹ tr+1 = nCran–r . br
For t6, r = 5
! 1
t5 u x6 u 
4!3! x 5
§ 1 ·
t6 11
C5 ( x 4 )115 ¨ 3 ¸
7 u 6 u 5 u 4! 2 ©x ¹
t5 ux 35x 2
4!u 3 u 2
 BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

11! 24 §  1 · r
t6 x ¨ ¸ 9 9r § 1 · 93r
5! 6! © x15 ¹ t r 1 C r (2) ¨ ¸ x
© 3¹

11u10 u 9 u 8 u 7 u 6! To get term independent of x, must have

t6 ( x 9 )
5 u 4 u 3 u 2 u1u 6!
x9–3r = x0
t6 = –11 × 3 × 2 × 7x = –462 x9 9 – 3r = 0 Ÿ – 3r = –9 Ÿ r = 3
For t7, r = 6
3
? 9 C ( 2) 93 §¨ 1 ·¸
6 3
§ 1· © 3¹
t7 C 6 ( x 4 )116 ¨ 3 ¸
11

©x ¹
9! 1 9 u 8 u 7 u 6! 1
u 26 u u 64 u
t7
11! 20 1
x u 18 3!6! 27 3 u 2 u 6! 27
6!5! x
28 u 64 1792
11u10 u 9 u 8 u 7 u 6! 2 9 9
t7 x
6!u 5 u 4 u 3 u 2
1792
t7 = –11 × 3 × 2 × 7 = – 462x2 Constant term independent of x
9
11! 20 1
t7 x u 18
6!5! x 2
(ii) Let a = x, b = , n = 15
x2
11u10 u 9 u 8 u 7 u 6! 2
t7 x tr+1 = nCr an–r . br
6!u 5 u 4 u 3 u 2
r
t7 = –11 × 3 × 2 × 7 = – 462 x2 § 2·
15
tr+1 = Cr (x) 15–r ¨ 2¸
Example – 17 ©x ¹

Find the constant term (term independent of x) in the tr+1 = 15Cr (x)15–r (–2)r x–2r
expansion of
tr+1 = 15Cr (–2)r (x)15–3r
15
9
§ 2 · To get constant term independent of x,
(i) §¨ 2x  2 ·¸
1
(ii) ¨ x  2 ¸
© 3x ¹ © x ¹ x15–3r = x0
15 – 3r = 0 Ÿ – 3r = – 15 Ÿ r = 5
1
Sol. Let a = 2x, b ,n 9
3x 2 15!
? 15
C5 ( 2) 5 (32)
5!10!
tr+1 = nCr an–r . br

§ 1 ·
r
15 u14 u13 u12 u11u 10!
t r 1 9
C r ( 2 x )9  r ¨ 2 ¸
15
C5( 2) 5 u 32
© 3x ¹ 5 u 4 u 3 u 2 u 10!

15
r
C5 (–2)5 = – 77×39×32= – 96096
§1·
tr 1 9
Cr (2)9r ¨ ¸ x 2r . x9r Constant term independent of
©3¹
x = – 96096
 BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

Example – 18 Example – 20
9 2 3 15
Find the coefficient of x in (1 + 3x + 3x + x ) .
n
Sol. (1 + 3x + 3x2 + x3)15 = [(1 + x)3]15 = (1 + x)45 § 1·
Find the term independent of x in (1 + x)m ¨ 1 ¸
? Coefficient of x9 in (1 + 3x + 3x2 + x3)15 © x¹

= co-eff. of x9 in (1 + x)45
= 45C9 [Since in the expansion of (1 + x)n, n
§ x 1 ·
n
m § 1· 1 x
m
r n
coefficient of x = Cr] Sol. Given expression 1 x ¨ 1 ¸ ¨ ¸
© x¹ © x ¹
5!
9!36! mn
1 x mn
x  n 1 x
Example – 19 xn
n
§ 1·
Given that the 4th term in the expansion of ¨ px  ¸ ? Required term independent of x
© x¹
= coefficient of x0 in x–n (1 + x)m+n
5
is find n an p. = coefficient of xn in (1 + x)m+n
2

n mn mn
Sol. Given expansion is §¨ px  ¸·
1 Cn
n!m!
© x ¹

Given, T4 5 [Since in the expansion of (1 + x)n, co-efficient of xr = nCr]

2
Example – 21
3
n 3 §1· 5 Find the coefficient of x5 in the expansion of the product
? n
C 3 px ¨x¸
© ¹ 2
(1 + 2x)6 (1 – x)7.

1 5 Sol. (1 + 2x)6 = [1 + 6C1 (2x) + 6C2 (2x)2 + 6C3 (2x)3 + 6C4 (2x)4
Ÿ n
C3 p n  3 x n  3 .
x3 2
+ 6C5 (2x)5 + 6C6 (2x)6] .....(1)
n! 5
Ÿ .pn  3 x n  6 ...(1) Again, (1 – x)7 = 1 – 7C1 x + 7C2 x2 – 7C3 x3 + 7C4 x4 – 7C5 x5
3! n  3 ! 2
+ 7C6 x6 – 7C7 x7
Since R.H.S. of (1) is independent of x,
= 1 – 7x + 21x2 – 35x3 + 35x4 – 21x5 + 7x6 – x7 .....(2)
therefore n – 6 = 0 ? n = 6.
Now (1 + 2x)6 (1 – x)7
6! 3 5
From 1 .p
3! 3! 2 = (1 + 12x + 60x2 + 160x3 + 240x4 + 192x5 + .....)

× (1 – 7x + 21x2 – 35x3 + 35x4 – 21x5 + .....)

5
Ÿ 20p3
2 ? Required coefficient of x5 in the product

3 = 1 × (–21) + 12 × 35 + 60 × (–35)
1 §1· 1
Ÿ p 3
¨2¸ ?p .
8 © ¹ 2 + 160 × 21 + 240 × (–7) + 192 × 1

= –21 + 420 – 2100 + 3360 – 1680 + 192 = 171

1
Hence n = 6 and p = .
2
 BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

Example – 22 Example – 24
If the coefficients of three consecutive terms in the
Show that 24n – 2n (7n + 1) is some multiple of the square of
expansion of (1 + a)n are in the ratio 1 : 7 : 42, find n.
14, where n is a postive integer.
Sol. Let the three consecutive terms in the expansion of (1+a)n
Sol. 24n – 2n (7n + 1) = (16)n – 2n (7n + 1)
be rth, (r + 1)th and (r + 2)th terms respectively.
n n n
= (2 + 14) – 2 . 7n – 2 In the expansion of (1 + a)n,

= (2n + nC1 2n–1 . 14 + nC2 2n–2 . 142 + ... + 14n) – 2n . 7n – 2n coefficient of rth term = nCr–1

coefficient of (r + 1)th term = nCr.

= 142 (nC2 2n–2 + nC3 2n–3 14 + ... + 14n–2)
coefficient or (r + 2)th term = nCr+1
n n n–1 n n
+ (2 + C1 . 2 . 14 –2 . 7n – 2 )
Given, nCr–1 : nCr : nCr+1 = 1 : 7 : 42.
= 142 (nC2 2n–2 + nC3 2n–3 . 14 + ... + 14n–2)
n
C r 1 1
n n–1 n
+ (2 + n2 . 2 . 7 – 2 . 7n – 2 ) n ? n
Cr 7

= 142 (nC2 . 2n–2 + nC3 . 2n–3 . 14 + ... + 14n–2)

n! r! n  r ! 1
This is divisible by 142 i.e. by 196 for all positive integral .
Ÿ r 1 ! n  r 1 ! n! 7
value of n.

Note : If n = 1, nC2 = 0, nC3 = 0 etc.

r 1
Ÿ
? Given expression = 142 ×0 =0, which is divisible by 196. n  r 1 7

Example – 23 Ÿ 7r = n – r + 1
n
Using binomial theorem, prove that 6 – 5n always Ÿ n – 8r = –1 ............ (1)
leaves the remainder 1 when divided by 25 for all positive
n
integers n. Cr 7
And n
C r 1 42
Sol. 6n – 5n = (1 + 5)n – 5n

= (1 + nC1 5 + nC2 52 + ... + nCn 5n) – 5n

r! r  1 ! n  r 1 ! 1
Ÿ r! n  r !. n! 6
= (1 + n . 5 + nC2 . 52 + ... + nCn 5n) – 5n

= 1 + nC2 52 + nC3 53 + ... + nCn 5n

r 1 1
Ÿ
= 1 + 25 (nC2 + nC3 . 5 + ... + nCn 5n–2) nr 6

= 1 + 25.k where k is a positive integer. Ÿ 6r + 6 = n – r ? n – 7r = 6 ............ (2)

? When 6n – 5n is divided by 25, remainder will be 1 for all Now, (2) – (1) Ÿ r=7

positive integer n. From (1), n = 55.

BINOMIAL THEOREM & MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

Example – 25 Example – 26
If in the expansion of (1 + x)n, the coefficients of 14th, 15th Simplify first three terms in the expansion of the following
and 16th terms in A.P. find n.
(i) (1 + 2x)–4 (ii) (5+4x)–1/2
Sol. The coefficients of 14th, 15th and 16th tems in the
Sol. (i) (1 + 2x)–4 =
expansion of (1 + x)n will be nC13, nC14 and nC15 respectively.

Given, nC13, nC14 and nC15 are in A.P. (4) (4  1)

1  (4) (2x )  ( 2x ) 2
2!
Given, nC13, nC14 and nC15 are in A.P.

? n
C14 – nC13 = nC15 – nC14
(4) (5)
1  8x  ( 4x 2 )
or 2 . nC14 = nC13 + nC15 2

n! n! n! = 1–8x + 40x2 + .....

or 2. 
14 ! n 14 ! 13 ! n 13 ! 15 ! n 15 !
1
1 1
ª 4x º 2
Multiplying both sides by 15! (n – 13)!, we get (ii) (5  4 x ) 2
5 «1  »
2

¬ 5 ¼

15! n 13 ! 15! n 13 ! 15! n 13 !

2. 
14! n 14 ! 13! n 13 ! 15! n 15 !
ª § 1 · §  1 · º
«
1 ¨ ¸¨  1¸ 2 »
§  · § · § ·
5 «1  ¨ ¸ ¨ ¸  © ¹ © ¹
1 4 x 2 2 4 x
or 2.15 (n – 13) = 15.14 + (n – 13) (n – 14) 2
¨ ¸  ...»
« © 2 ¹© 5 ¹ 2! © 5 ¹ »
or 30n – 390 = 210 + n2 – 27n + 182 « »
¬ ¼
or n2 – 57n + 782 = 0

or (n – 34) (n – 23) = 0

Hence n = 23 or 34. ª § 1 ·§  3 · º
« 2 x ¨ 2 ¸ ¨ 2 ¸ 16x 2
1 »
5 «1 
2  © ¹© ¹u  ...»
« 5 2 25 »
« »
¬ ¼

1
ª 2x 6x 2 º
5 2 «1    ....»
¬ 5 25 ¼