Binomial Theorem (1)
1. Find the first three terms in the expansion, in ascending powers of x, of
(i) (1 − 3 x ) 5 (ii) (2 + x) 4 .
Hence find the coefficient of x 2 in the expansion of (1 − 3x)5 (2 + x) 4 .
Answer: (i) 1 − 15 x + 90 x 2 (ii) 16 + 32 x + 24 x 2 ; 984.
2. Obtain and simplify
(i) the first four terms on the expansion of (2 + x 2 ) 6 in ascending powers of x,
(ii) the coefficient of x 4 in the expansion of (1 − x 2 )(2 + x 2 ) 6 .
Answer: (i) 64 + 192 x 2 + 240 x 4 + 160 x 6 (ii) 48.
6
a
3. In the expansion of 2 x 2 + , the coefficients of x6 and x3 are equal. Find the value of the
x
non-zero constant a. Hence find the coefficient of x6 in the expansion of
6
a 3
3
(1 − x ) 2 x 2 + . Answer: ,0 .
x 2
6
2
4. Find the first three terms in the expansion, in descending powers of x, of x − . Hence find
x
( )
6
2
2
the coefficient of x in the expansion of 2 + 3x x − .
4
Answer: x 6 − 12 x 4 + 60 x 2 ,156 .
x
5. Find the first three terms in the expansion of (1 − 2 x)5 in ascending powers of x, simplifying the
coefficients. Given that the first three in the expansion of (a + bx)(1 − 2 x) 5 are 2 + cx + 10 x 2 ,
state the values of a and hence find the values of b and of c. Answer: 1 − 10 x + 40 x 2 ;2,7,−13 .
6. Find the first three terms of the expansion, in ascending powers of x, of (1 + 2 x )6
( 6
and (1 − 3 x )6 . Hence obtain the coefficient of x 2 in the expansion of 1 − x − 6 x 2 . )
Answer: 1 + 12 x + 60 x 2 ; 1 − 18 x + 135 x 2 ;−21 .
7. Write down and simplify the first three terms of the expansion of (2 − x )5 in ascending powers
of x. Given that coefficient of x and x2 in the expansion of (1 + ax + bx 2 )(2 − x) 5 are 16 and 0
respectively, calculate the value of a and of b. Answer: 32 − 80 x + 80 x 2 ; a = 3, b = 5 .
8. The first three terms in the expansion of (1 − 4 x) 5 (1 + ax + bx 2 ) are 1 − 23 x + 222 x 2 . Find the
value of each of the constants a and b. Answer: Answer: a = − 3, b = 2.
9. Find the first three terms of the expansion, in ascending powers of x, of (1 − 5 x )6 . Hence obtain
( )
the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of 1 + 3 x − 2 x 2 (1 − 5 x )6 . Answer: 1 − 30 x + 375 x 2 ,283 .
10. Expand (1 + y ) 6 in ascending powers of y as far as the term in y2. In the expansion of
1 + ( px − 2x )
2 6
the coefficient of x2 is 48. Find the value of the positive constant p. Ans: p = 2.
16
2 1
11. Find the term independent of x in the expansion of x − 6 . Anwer:113.75.
2x
8
x
12. Evaluate the coefficient of x in the binomial expansion of 3 − .
3
Answer:– 1701.
2
4
13. Find in its simplest form, the coefficient of x in the expansion of
16 5
1 3
(i) x + (ii) x 2 + .
x x
Answer: (i) 8008 (ii) 90.
14. Find, in its simplest form, the coefficient of x – 4 in the expansion of
6 10
1 5
(i) 2 x 2 + (ii) x − . Answer: (i) 60 (ii) – 9375000.
x2 x
5 8
1 1 2
15. The coefficient of in the expansion of kx + + 1 − is 74. Find the value of the
x x x
positive constant k. Answer: k = 3.
3
10 1
16. The coefficient of x in the expansion of 4 x + is p. The coefficient of in the expansion
x x
5
k
of 2 x + is q. Given that p = 6q, find the possible values of k. Answer: k = ±1.
x2
4
1
17. The coefficient of x 3
in the expansion of p + x is 144. Find the possible values of the
p
1
constant p. Answer: p = .
6
5
2
18. The coefficient of x in the expansion of 1 + x + (1 + kx) 6 is 70. Find the possible values of
2
k
2
the constant k. Answer: k = 2, .
3
19. Expand (1 + a )5 in ascending powers of a up to and including the term in a3. Hence expand
1 + ( x + x )
2 5
in ascending powers of x up to and including the term in x3, simplifying your
answer. Answer: 1 + 5a + 10 a 2 + 10 a 3 ; 1 + 5 x + 15 x 2 + 30 x 3 .
20. Given that the expansion of (1 − 3x )2 (1 + ax)8 in ascending powers of x is 1 + 10 x + bx 2
calculate the value of a and of b. Answer: 2, 25.
21. Given that the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of (a + x ) + (1 − 2 x) is – 120 calculate the
5 6
possible values of a. Answer: ± 2.
n 2 3
22. Given that the expansion of ( 1 + ax) = 1 + 36 x + 576x + kx ............... ,find the values of a
and n and k. Answer: n = 9, a = 4, k = 5376.
n
x
23. The expansion of (2 + 3x )1 − in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x2, is
2
2 − 5 x + ax 2 . Find the value of n and of a. Answer: n = 8, a = 2.
