256 Binomial Theorem and Mathematical Induction

Chapter

7
Binomial Theorem and Mathematical Induction
(2) Replacing x by 1 and y by x in equation (i) we get,
Binomial Theorem
(1 + x )n =nC0 x 0 +nC1 x 1 +nC2 x 2 + ...... + nCr x r + ...... +nCn x n
Binomial expression n
i.e., (1 + x )n =  n Cr x r
An algebraic expression consisting of two terms with +ve or r =0

– ve sign between them is called a binomial expression. This is expansion of (1 + x)n in ascending power of x.
 p q  1 4  (3) Replacing x by 1 and y by – x in (i) we get,
For example : (a + b), (2 x − 3 y),  2 − 4  ,  + 3  etc.
x x  x y  (1 − x )n = n C0 x 0 − n C1 x 1 + n C2 x 2 − .....
+ (−1)r n Cr x r + .... + (−1)n n Cn x n
Binomial theorem for positive integral index n
i.e., (1 − x )n =  (−1)r n Cr x r
The rule by which any power of binomial can be expanded is r =0
called the binomial theorem. (4) (x + y )n + (x − y )n =
If n is a positive integer and x, y  C then
2 [n C0 x n y 0 +n C2 x n − 2 y 2 + n C4 x n − 4 y 4 + .......] and
n −0 0 n −1 1 n−2 2
( x + y ) = C0 x
n n
y + C1 xn
y + C2 x
n
y + ........
(x + y)n − (x − y)n = 2 [ n C1 x n −1 y 1 +nC3 x n −3 y 3 + nC5 x n −5 y 5 + ...]
n −r r n −1
+ Cr x
n
y + ...... + Cn −1 xy
n
+ Cn x y
n 0 n
(5) The coefficient of (r+1)th term in the expansion of (1 + x)n is nCr.
n
(6) The coefficient of x r in the expansion of (1 + x)n is n Cr .
i.e., (x + y )n = 
r =0
n
Cr . x n −r .y r .....(i)
General term
Here n C 0 , n C1 , n C 2 ,......n C n are called binomial coefficients The general term of the expansion is (r + 1)th term usually
n!
and n C r = for 0  r  n . denoted by Tr +1 and Tr +1 = n C r x n −r y r
r !(n − r) !
 In the binomial expansion of (x − y)n , Tr +1 = (−1)r nCr x n −r y r
Some important expansions  In the binomial expansion of (1 + x )n , Tr +1 =nCr x r
(1) Replacing y by – y in (i), we get,  In the binomial expansion of (1 − x )n , Tr +1 = (−1)r nCr x r
(x − y)n = n C 0 x n −0 y 0 − n C1 x n −1 y 1 + n C 2 x n − 2 y 2 − .......  In the binomial expansion of ( x + y )n , the pth term from the
end is (n − p + 2) th term from beginning.
+ (−1)r n C r x n −r y r + .... + (−1)n n C n x 0 y n
n Independent term or Constant term
i.e., (x − y )n = 
r =0
(−1)r n C r x n −r y r
Independent term or constant term of a binomial expansion is
the term in which exponent of the variable is zero.
The terms in the expansion of (x − y ) are alternatively n
Condition : (n − r) [Power of x] + r [Power of y] = 0, in the
positive and negative, the last term is positive or negative
according as n is even or odd. expansion of [ x + y ]n .
 Binomial Theorem and Mathematical Induction 257

Number of terms in the expansion of (a+b+c)n Now substituting values of n and x in (i), we get r  m + f or
and (a+b+c+d)n r  m , where m is a positive integer and f is a fraction such that
0  f 1.
(a + b + c)n can be expanded as : (a + b + c)n = {(a + b ) + c} n When n is even Tm +1 is the greatest term, when n is odd Tm and
= (a + b)n +nC1 (a + b)n −1 (c)1 +nC2 (a + b)n − 2 (c)2 + ..... + nCn cn Tm +1 are the greatest terms and both are equal.
= (n + 1) term + n term + (n − 1)term + ... + 1term Short cut method : To find the greatest term (numerically) in
 Total number of terms = the expansion of (1 + x)n .
(n + 1)(n + 2)
(n + 1) + (n) + (n − 1) + ...... + 1 = . x (n + 1)
2 (i) Calculate m =
Similarly, number of terms in the expansion of x +1
(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3) (ii) If m is integer, then Tm and Tm +1 are equal and both are
(a + b + c + d )n = .
6 greatest term.
Middle term (iii) If m is not integer, then T[m ]+1 is the greatest term, where
[.] denotes the greatest integral part.
The middle term depends upon the value of n.
(1) When n is even, then total number of terms in the (2) Greatest coefficient
expansion of ( x + y )n is n + 1 (odd). So there is only one middle (i) If n is even, then greatest coefficient is nCn / 2
th
n  (ii) If n is odd, then greatest coefficient are nC n +1 and n C n + 3 .
term i.e.,  + 1  term is the middle term. T n 
=nCn / 2 x n / 2 y n / 2
2   2 +1 
 
2 2

(2) When n is odd, then total number of terms in the Properties of binomial coefficients
expansion of ( x + y )n is n + 1 (even). So, there are two middle
th th In the binomial expansion of (1 + x )n ,
n +1 n + 3
terms i.e.,   and   are two middle terms. (1 + x )n = n C 0 + n C1 x + n C 2 x 2 + ..... + n C r x r + .... + n C n x n
 2   2 
n +1 n −1 n −1 n +1 where n C 0 , n C1 , n C 2 ,......, n C n are the coefficients of various
T n +1  = C n −1
n
x 2 y 2 and T n + 3  = C n +1
n
x 2 y 2 powers of x and called binomial coefficients, and they are written
   
 2  2  2  2 as C0 , C1 , C2 , .....Cn .
 When there are two middle terms in the expansion then Hence, (1 + x )n = C0 + C1 x + C 2 x 2 + .....
their binomial coefficients are equal.
 Binomial coefficient of middle term is the greatest binomial + Cr x r + ..... + Cn x n .....(i)
coefficient. (1) The sum of binomial coefficients in the expansion of
To determine a particular term in the expansion (1 + x)n is 2 n .

n Putting x = 1 in (i), we get 2 n = C 0 + C1 + C 2 + ..... + C n

 1 
In the expansion of  x     , if x m occurs in Tr +1 , then r .....(ii)
 x  (2) Sum of binomial coefficients with alternate signs : Putting
n − m x = −1 in (i)
is given by n  − r( +  ) = m  r =
+ We get, C 0 − C1 + C 2 − C 3 + ...... = 0 …..(iii)
Thus in above expansion if constant term which is (3) Sum of the coefficients of the odd terms in the expansion
independent of x, occurs in Tr +1 then r is determined by of (1 + x)n is equal to sum of the coefficients of even terms and
n each is equal to 2 n −1 .
n  − r( +  ) = 0  r =
+ n n n −1
(4) n Cr = n −1Cr −1 = . n−2
Cr − 2 and so on.
r r r −1
Greatest term and Greatest coefficient
z
(5) Sum of product of coefficients in the expansion is 2n
Cn + r .
(1) Greatest term : If Tr and Tr +1 be the rth and (r + 1) th
2n!
Hence, C 0 C r + C1 C r +1 + ......C n −r .C n = 2n C n +r =
terms in the expansion of (1 + x)n , then (n − r)!(n + r)!
Tr +1 n
C xr n −r +1 .....(iv)
= n r r −1 = x
Tr Cr −1 x r (6) Sum of squares of coefficients : Putting r = 0 in (iv), we
Let numerically, Tr +1 be the greatest term in the above get 2 n Cn = C02 + C12 + ...... + Cn2
Tr +1 (7) n Cr +n Cr −1 =n +1Cr
expansion. Then Tr +1  Tr or 1 .
Tr
(8) C1 + 2C 2 + 3 C 3 + ........... + n. C n = n . 2 n −1
n −r +1 (n + 1)
 | x |  1 or r  | x| …..(i) (9) C1 − 2C2 + 3C3 − ................ = 0
r (1+ | x |)
(10) C0 + 2C1 + 3 C2 + ........ + (n + 1)Cn = (n + 2)2n −1
 258 Binomial Theorem and Mathematical Induction
(2n) ! If n is positive integer and a1 , a 2 , a 3 , ....an  C , then
(11) C02 + C12 + C 22 + ........... + Cn2 =
(n ! )2 n!
(a1 + a2 + a3 + ... + am )n =  a1n1 .a2n 2 ...amnm ,
 0, if n is odd n1 !n2 !n3 !...nm !
(12) C02 − C12 + C22 − C32 + ........... = 
where n1 , n2 , n3 ,.....nm are all non-negative integers subject to
(−1) . Cn / 2 , if n is even
n/2 n

the condition, n1 + n2 + n3 + .....nm = n .

Use of differentiation and integration in binomial (1) The coefficient of a1n1 .a2n2 .....amnm in the expansion of
theorem n!
(a1 + a2 + a3 + ....am )n is
(1) Use of differentiation : This method applied only when n1 ! n2 ! n3 !....nm !
the numericals occur as the product of binomial coefficients. (2) The greatest coefficient in the expansion of
Solution process : (i) If last term of the series leaving the n!
(a1 + a2 + a3 + ....am )n is
plus or minus sign be m, then divide m by n if q be the quotient and (q! )m −r [(q + 1)!]r
r be the remainder. i.e., m = nq + r . where q is the quotient and r is the remainder when n is
divided by m.
Then replace x by x q in the given series and multiplying both (3) If n is +ve integer and a1 , a 2 ,.....am  C
sides of expansion by x r . a1n1 . a 2n2 .........a mnm then coefficient of x r in the expansion of
(ii) After process (i), differentiate both sides, w.r.t. x and put
 n !n !n !.....n !
n!
x = 1 or −1 or i or – i etc. according to given series. (a1 + a2 x + .....am x m −1 )n is
1 2 3 m
(iii) If product of two numericals (or square of numericals) or where n1 , n 2 ,.....nm are all non-negative integers subject to
three numericals (or cube of numericals) then differentiate twice the condition:
or thrice. n1 + n2 + .....nm = n and n2 + 2n3 + 3n4 + .... + (m − 1)nm = r
(2) Use of integration : This method is applied only when the (4) The number of distinct or dissimilar terms in the
numericals occur as the denominator of the binomial coefficients. multinomial expansion (a1 + a2 + a3 + ....am )n is n + m −1 Cm −1 .
Solution process : If (1 + x )n = C0 + C1 x + C 2 x 2 +
Binomial theorem for any Index
..... + Cn x n , then we integrate both sides between the suitable
limits which gives the required series. Statement :

(i) If the sum contains C0 , C1 , C2 ,....... Cn with all positive n(n − 1)x 2 n(n − 1)(n − 2) 3
(1 + x )n = 1 + nx + + x + ....
2! 3!
signs, then integrate between limit 0 to 1.
n(n − 1)......(n − r + 1) r
(ii) If the sum contains alternate signs (i.e. +, –) then integrate + x + ...terms up to 
r!
between limit – 1 to 0.
when n is a negative integer or a fraction, where −1  x  1 ,
(iii) If the sum contains odd coefficients i.e., (C0, C2, C4.....) then otherwise expansion will not be possible.
integrate between –1 to 1. If first term is not 1, then make first term unity in the
(iv) If the sum contains even coefficients (i.e., C1 , C3 , C5 .....)  y y
n
following way, (x + y )n = x n 1 +  , if 1.
then subtracting (ii) from (i) and then dividing by 2.  x x
(v) If denominator of binomial coefficients is product of two
numericals then integrate two times, first taking limit between 0 n(n − 1)(n − 2)......(n − r + 1) r
General term : Tr +1 = x
to x and second time take suitable limits. r!
Some important expansions
An important theorem n(n − 1) 2
(i) (1 + x )n = 1 + nx + x +
2!
If ( A + B)n = I + f where I and n are positive integers, n n(n − 1)(n − 2)......(n − r + 1) r
....... + x + ......
being odd and 0  f  1 then (I + f ) . f = K n r!
n(n − 1) 2
where A − B 2 = K  0 and A − B 1 . (ii) (1 − x )n = 1 − nx + x − .......
2!
 If n is even integer then ( A + B)n + ( A − B)n = I + f + f  n(n − 1)(n − 2).....(n − r + 1)
+ (− x )r + .......
Hence L.H.S. and I are integers.  f + f  is also integer r!
n(n + 1) 2 n(n + 1)(n + 2) 3
 f + f =1 ;  f  = (1 − f ) (iii) (1 − x )− n = 1 + nx + x + x +
2! 3!
Hence (I + f ) (1 − f ) = (I + f ) f  = ( A + B)n ( A − B)n n(n + 1)......(n + r − 1) r
..... + x + .....
= ( A − B 2 )n = K n . r!

Multinomial theorem (for positive integral index)

 Binomial Theorem and Mathematical Induction 259

n(n + 1) 2 n(n + 1)(n + 2) 3

(iv) (1 + x )− n = 1 − nx + x − x +
2! 3! Mathematical Induction
n(n + 1)......(n + r − 1)
..... + (− x )r + ...... First principle of Mathematical induction
r!
(v) (1 + x )−1 = 1 − x + x 2 − x 3 + ....... The proof of proposition by mathematical induction consists
of the following three steps :
(vi) (1 − x )−1 = 1 + x + x 2 + x 3 + .......
Step I : (Verification step) : Actual verification of the
(vii) (1 + x )−2 = 1 − 2 x + 3 x 2 − 4 x 3 + ....... proposition for the starting value “i”.
(viii) Step II : (Induction step) : Assuming the proposition to be
(1 − x )−2 = 1 + 2 x + 3 x 2 + 4 x 3 + ....... true for “k”, k  i and proving that it is true for the value (k + 1)
(ix) (1 + x )−3 = 1 − 3 x + 6 x 2 − ............... which is next higher integer.

(x) (1 − x )−3 = 1 + 3 x + 6 x 2 + ................. Step III : (Generalization step) : To combine the above two
steps. Let p(n) be a statement involving the natural number n such
Problems on approximation by the binomial theorem :
n(n − 1) 2 that (i) p(1) is true i.e. p(n) is true for n = 1.
We have (1 + x )n = 1 + nx + x + ....... .
2! (ii) p(m + 1) is true, whenever p(m) is true i.e. p(m) is true
If x is small compared with 1, we find that the values of  p(m + 1) is true.
x 2 , x 3 , x 4 ,....... become smaller and smaller.
Then p(n) is true for all natural numbers n.
 The terms in the above expansion become smaller and
smaller. If x is very small compared with 1, we might take 1 as a Second principle of Mathematical induction
first approximation to the value of (1 + x)n or 1 + nx as a second
approximation. The proof of proposition by mathematical induction consists
of following steps :
Three / Four consecutive terms or Coefficients Step I : (Verification step) : Actual verification of the
(1) If consecutive coefficients are given: In this case divide proposition for the starting value i and (i + 1).
consecutive coefficients pair wise. We get equations and then Step II : (Induction step) : Assuming the proposition to be
solve them. true for k – 1 and k and then proving that it is true for the value k
(2) If consecutive terms are given : In this case divide + 1; k  i + 1.
consecutive terms pair wise i.e. if four consecutive terms be
Tr Tr +1 Tr + 2 Step III : (Generalization step) : Combining the above two
Tr , Tr +1 , Tr + 2 , Tr + 3 then find , ,  1 , 2 , 3 (say) steps. Let p(n) be a statement involving the natural number n such
Tr +1 Tr + 2 Tr + 3
then divide 1 by 2 and 2 by 3 and solve. that (i) p(1) is true i.e. p(n) is true for n = 1 and
(ii) p(m + 1) is true, whenever p(n) is true for all n, where
Some important points inm .
(1) Pascal's Triangle Then p(n) is true for all natural numbers.

1 ( x + y )0 For a  b, The expression a n − b n is divisible by

1 1 ( x + y )1 (a) a + b, if n is even.
(b) a – b, if n is odd or even.
1 2 1 ( x + y )2
1 3 3 1 ( x + y )3 Divisibility problems
1 4 6 4 1 (x + y )4
To show that an expression is divisible by an integer
1 5 10 10 5 1 (x + y )5
(i) If a, p, n, r are positive integers, then first of all we write
Pascal's triangle gives the direct binomial coefficients. a pn + r
= a pn . ar = (a p )n . ar .
Example : (x + y ) = x + 4 x y + 6 x y + 4 xy + y .
4 4 3 2 2 3 4
(ii) If we have to show that the given expression is divisible by
(2) Method for finding terms free from radicals or rational c.
terms in the expansion of (a 1 / p + b 1 / q )N  a, b  prime numbers:
N −r r Then express, a p = [1 + (a p − 1] , if some power of (a p − 1)
Find the general term Tr +1 = Cr (a N 1 / p N −r
) (b ) = Cr a
1/q r N p
.b q
has c as a factor. a p = [2 + (a p − 2)] , if some power of (a p − 2) has
Putting the values of 0  r  N , when indices of a and b are c as a factor.
integers.
 Number of irrational terms = Total terms – Number of a p = [k + (a p − k )], if some power of (a p − k ) has c as a
rational terms. factor.
 260 Binomial Theorem and Mathematical Induction

 The number of terms in the expansion of (x + y )n are (n + 1). Expansion of binomial theorem
 In any term of expansion of ( x + y ) , the sum of the
n

exponents of x and y is always constant = n. 1. ( 2 + 1)6 − ( 2 − 1)6 = [MP PET 1984]

 The binomial coefficients n C 0 , n C1 , n C 2 ,........ equidistant (a) 101 (b) 70 2

from beginning and end are equal i.e., n Cr =n Cn − r . (c) 140 2 (d) 120 2
2. x + 10 x a + 40 x a + 80 x a 3 + 80 xa 4 + 32 a5 =
5 4 3 2 2
 (x + y )n = Sum of odd terms + Sum of even terms.
(a) ( x + a) 5 (b) (3 x + a)5
Tr +1  n − r + 1  y
 In the expansion of (x + y)n , n  N =  . (c) ( x + 2 a) 5 (d) ( x + 2 a)3
Tr  r x
3. The formulae
 If the coefficients of pth, qth terms in the expansion of
m (m − 1) m − 2 2
(1 − x)n are equal, then p + q = n + 2 . (a + b )m = am + ma m −1b + a b + .... holds when
1.2
 The coefficient of x n −1 in the expansion of (a) b  a (b) a  b
n(n + 1) (c) | a | | b | (d) | b | | a |
(x − 1)(x − 2).......(x − n) = − .
2 4. The total number of terms in the expansion of
 The coefficient of x n −1
in the expansion of (x + a)100 + (x − a)100 after simplification will be

n(n + 1) [Pb. CET 1990]

(x + 1)(x + 2).....(x + n) = (a) 202 (b) 51
2
(c) 50 (d) None of these
 For finding the greatest term in the expansion of (x + y )n .
1
n 5. can be expanded by binomial theorem, if
y n 5 + 4x
we rewrite the expansion in this form (x + y ) = x 1 +  . n

 x
(a) x  1 (b) | x |  1
n
 y
Greatest term in (x + y)n = x n . Greatest term in  1 +  . (c) | x | 
5
(d) | x | 
4
 x 4 5
 If n is odd, then (x + y )n + (x − y )n and (x + y )n − (x − y )n , 6. The value of ( 5 + 1)5 − ( 5 − 1)5 is [MP PET 1985]
 n +1  (a) 252 (b) 352
both have the same number of terms equal to  .
 2  (c) 452 (d) 532
7. In the expansion of the following expression
n 
 If n is even, then (x + y )n + (x − y )n has  + 1  terms and 1 + (1 + x ) + (1 + x )2 + ..... + (1 + x )n
2 
n the coefficient of x k (0  k  n) is [RPET 2000]
(x + y )n − (x − y )n has terms.
2 (a) n +1
Ck +1 (b) n
Ck
 There are infinite number of terms in the expansion of
(c) n
Cn −k −1 (d) None of these
(1 + x)n , when n is a negative integer or a fraction.
8. The larger of 99 50 + 100 50 and 101 50 is [IIT 1980]
 The number of terms in the expansion of
(x 1 + x 2 + ......... + x 2 )n = n +r −1 C r −1 . (a) 99 50
+ 100 50
(b) Both are equal
(c) 101 50
(d) None of these
 If the coefficient of the rth, (r + 1)th and (r + 2)th terms in
9. (1 + x ) − nx − 1 divisible (where n  N )
n

the expansion of (1 + x)n are in H.P., then n + (n − 2r)2 = 0 .

(a) by 2 x
 If coefficient of r th , (r + 1)th and (r + 2)th terms in the (b) by x 2
expansion of (1 + x)n are in A.P., then (c) by 2x 3
n 2 − n(4 r + 1) + 4 r 2 − 2 = 0 . (d) All of these