Chapter # 8

Mathematical Induction and Binomial Theorem

Short Questions

PRINCIPLE OF MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

Q.1 State the principle of mathematical induction.
Ans. Let S(n) be a given statement, then S(n) is true for all positive integer n if
i) S(n) is true for n = 1
ii) The truth of S(k) implies the truth of S(k + 1).
Q.2 State the principle of extended mathematical induction.
Ans. Let S(n) be a given statement which is true for n = i, where i is some given
number. Then S(n) is true for all admissible values of n if
i) S(n) is true for n = i
ii) The truth of S(k) implies the truth of S(k + 1), where k  i .
Q.3 Prove that 1  3  5  ...   2n  1  n 2 for n = 1, 2.

Ans. For n = 1:
1  12 i.e. 1 = 1 (True)
For n = 2:
1  3  22 i.e. 4 = 4 (True)
Q.4 Prove that 1  5  9  ...   4n  3  n  2n  1 for n = 1, 2.

Ans. For n = 1:
1  1 2 1  1 i.e. 1 = 1 (True)

For n = 2:
1  5  2  2  2   1 i.e. 6 = 6 (True)

Q.5 Use mathematical induction to prove that for every positive integer n,
1 1  2  2  3  3  ...  n n  n  1  1 .
Ans. Let S(n) be given statement.
C-1: For n = 1,
1 1!  1  1 !  1
  1  2!  1  2  1  1
So C-1 is satisfied.
C-2: Suppose that the given statement holds for some positive integer k. Then,
1 1  2  2  3  3  ...  k k  k  1  1
We show that it also holds for n = k + 1. For this, we add the next term
viz.  k  1 k  1 to both sides.

1 1  2  2  3  3  ...  k k   k  1 k  1  k  1  1   k  1 k  1

=  k  2 k  1  1

= k  2  1   k  1  1  1

So C-2 is also satisfied.

Q.6 Check divisibility of n 2  n by 2 for n = 1, 2.
Ans. For n = 1:
n 2  n  12  1  2 , which is divisible by 2.
For n = 2:
n 2  n  22  2  6 , which is divisible by 2.
52 n  32 n
Q.7 Show that is an integer for n = 2, 3.
2
Ans. For n = 2:
2 2 
 3   54  34
2 2
52 n  32 n 5
   272 , which is an integer.
2 2 2
For n = 3:
2 3
 3   56  36
23
52 n  32 n 5
   7448 , which is an integer.
2 2 2
Q.8 Prove by Mathematical Induction that for all positive integers n, 5n  2n is
divisible by 3.
Ans. We have to show that 5n  2n is divisible by 3, for all positive integers n.
C-1: For n =1,
51  21  5  2  3 , which is divisible by 3.
So, C-1 is satisfied.
C-2: Suppose that 5k  2k is divisible by 3, for all positive integers k.
Consider the case for n = k + 1:
5k 1  2k 1  5k .5  2k .2  5k  3  2   2k .2

= 5k .3  5k .2  2k .2  5k .3   5k  2k  .2

The first term on the R.H.S. viz. 5k .3 is clearly divisible by 3. Also,

5k  2k is divisible by 3, by supposition and so is  5k  2k  .2 . Hence their

sum is also divisible by 3 and so is the L.H.S.

Thus, C-2 is also satisfied.
Q.9 Prove by mathematical induction that x  y is a factor of x n  y n for all
positive integral values of n.
Ans. Let S(n) be the given statement.
C-1: For n = 1: x  y is clearly a factor of x  y , so C-1 is satisfied.

C-2: Suppose that x  y is a factor of x k  y k for all positive integral values of

k. Consider the case for n = k + 1:
x k 1  y k 1  x k .x  y k . y

 xk . x  y   y   yk . y

 xk . x  y   xk . y  y k .y

 x k . x  y    x k  y k  . y

The first term on the RHS is divisible by x  y whereas the second

term is also divisible by x  y (by supposition). Thus the RHS is divisible
by x  y and so is the LHS.
So C-2 is also satisfied.
Q.10 Use the principle of mathematical induction to prove the following
formula for any positive integer n:
an  a1 r n 1 where a1 , a1 r , a1 r 2 ,... form a G. P.

Ans. We have to prove that an  a1 r n 1 for any positive integer n.

C-1: For n =1: a1  a1 r11  a1 r 0  a1 1  a1 , so C-1 is satisfied.

C-2: Suppose that ak  a1 r k 1 for any positive integer k. Then, by definition of
G.P.,
ak 1  ak  r  a1 r k 1  r  a1 r k 11  a1 r 
k 1 1

So C-2 is also satisfied and hence the given statement is true.

Q.11 If A and B are square matrices and AB = BA, then show by mathematical
induction that AB n  B n A for any positive integer n.
Ans. We have to show that AB n  B n A for any positive integer n.
C-1: For n = 1,
AB1  B1 A i.e. AB  BA , which holds according to given information.
C-2: Suppose that the statement holds for some positive integer k. Then,
AB k  B k A .
We show that it also holds for n = k + 1. For this, we post-multiply both
sides by B.

 AB  B   B A B
k k

 A  B k B   B k  AB  by associative law

 AB k 1  B k  BA   AB  BA , given

 AB k 1   B k B  A by associative law

 AB k 1  B k 1 A .
So C-2 is also satisfied.
Q.12 Show that the inequality 4n  3n  4 is true for n = 3, 4.
Ans. For n = 3:
4n  3n  4  43  33  4 i.e. 64 > 31 (True)
For n = 4:
4n  3n  4  44  34  4 i.e. 256 > 85 (True)

Q.13 Show that n 2  n  3 is true for n = 4, 5.

Ans. For n = 4:
n 2  n  3  42  4  3 i.e. 16 > 7 (True)
For n = 5:
 n 2  n  3  52  5  3 i.e. 25 > 8 (True)
n
Q.14 Show by mathematical induction that 1  nx  1  x  for n ≥ 2 and

x  1 .
n
Ans. We have to show that 1  nx  1  x  for n ≥ 2 and x  1 .

C-1: For n = 2,
2
1  2 x  1  x   1  2 x  x 2 which is true because x 2  0 .

So C-1 is satisfied.
C-2: Suppose that the statement holds for n = k. Then,
k
1  kx  1  x  for k ≥ 2 and x  1 .

We show that it also holds for n = k + 1. For this, we multiply both sides
by 1 + x.
k
1  kx 1  x   1  x  1  x 
k 1
 1  kx  x  x 2  1  x 
k 1
 1  x   1  kx  x  x 2
k 1
 1  x   1   k  1 x  x 2  1   k  1 x  x2  0
k 1
i.e. 1   k  1 x  1  x 

So C-2 is also satisfied.

BINOMIAL THEOREM
Q.15 State Binomial theorem for a positive index.
Ans. If n is a positive integer, then
n  n  n  n
a  x  a n    a n 1 x    a n  2 x 2    a n 3 x3  ...  x n .
1  2  3
5
Q.16 Using binomial theorem, expand  a  2b  .
5
Ans.  a  2b 
 5 5 2 5 3 5 4 5
 a 5    a 4  2b     a 3  2b     a 2  2b     a  2b    2b 
1  2  3  4
 a 5  5a 4  2b   10a 3  4b 2   10a 2  8b3   5a 16b 4   32b5

 a 5  10a 4b  40a 3b 2  80a 2b3  80ab 4  32b5 .

3 3
Q.17 
Simplify a  2 x  a  2 x .   
3  3  3 2 3
Ans. a  2x   a3    a2
 1
 
2x    a
 2
 2x   2x 
 a 3  3a 2  
2 x  3a  2 x 2   2 2 x3

_______
 a 3  3 2a 2 x  6ax 2  2 2 x 3 (1)
Now changing x to – x, we get
3
a  2x   a 3  3 2a 2 x  6ax 2  2 2 x3 ________
(2)

Adding equations (1) and (2), we get

3 3
a   
2x  a  2x   2a 3  12ax 2 .

6
a 2
Q.18 Find first three terms in the expansion of    by using binomial
2 a
theorem.
6
a 2
Ans.   
2 a
6 5 4 2
 a  6 a   2  6 a   2 
                
 2  1 2   a   2 2   a 

a6  a5   2   a4   4 
  6       15    2 
64  32   a   16   a 

a 6 3 4 15 2
  a  a .
64 8 4
n
Q.19 What is the general term in the expansion of  a  x  ?
 n
Ans. The general term in the expansion of a  x is

 n
Tr 1    a n  r x r , 0  r  n .
r
7
Q.20 Find the general term of  3  2x  .

 n
Ans. Tr 1    a n r x r
r
 7  7r r
    3  2 x  .
r
10
 3 
Q.21 Find the general term in the expansion of  x 2   .
 2x 

 n
Ans. Tr 1    a n r x r
r
r
10  10  r  3 
    x2    
r  2x 
r
10  20 2 r  3  1
   x   r
r  2 x
r
10   3 
     x 203r .
 r  2 
10
th  3 
Q.22 Find 6 term in the expansion of  x 2  x  .
 2 

 n
Ans.  Tr 1    a n  r x r
r
5
10  10  5  3 
T51     x 2    x 
5  2 
5 243 5  15309 15
 T6  252  x 2    x  x .
 32  8
12
th  2 
Q.23 What is the 8 term in the expansion of  x   ?
 x
  n
Ans.  Tr 1    a n  r x r
r
7
12  12  7  2 
T7 1   
7
 x 
 x


5
128 101376
 T8  792 x 2 .  .
x7 / 2 x
12
th  1 x2 
Q.24 Find 6 term in the expansion of    .
x 2 
 n
Ans.  Tr 1    a n  r x r
r
12 5 5
12   1   x2 
T51       
 5  x   2

1  x10  99 3
 T6  792 7    x .
x  32  4
11
3 1 
Q.25 Find the fifth term in the expansion of  x   .
2 3x 

 n
Ans.  Tr 1    a n r b r
r
11 4 4
11  3   1 
T41    x   
 4  2   3x 
7 4
3   1   2187 7  1  4455 3
 T5  330  x      330  x  4 
 x .
 2   3x   128  81x  64
6
Q.26 Find the 4th term in the expansion of  a  2b  .

 n
Ans.  Tr 1    a n r b r
r
6 3
T31    a 63  2b   20a 3  8b3 
 3
 T4  160 a 3b3 .
 9
2 4 
Q.27 Find the term involving a in the expansion of   a  .
x 
 n
Ans. Tr 1    a n r x r
r
9r 9r
9 2  r 9 1 r
     a     29  r    1 ar
 r  x  r  x
For the term involving a 4 , we must have r = 4. Putting this value in the
above equation, we get
9 4
9 1 4
T41    29 4    1 a4
 4  x

1 4 4032a 4
T5  126  32   1  a  .
x5 x5
4
Q.28 Calculate by means of binomial theorem  9.98  .
4 4
Ans.  9.98  10  0.02 

 4  4 2  4 3 4
= 104   103  0.02    102  0.02    10  0.02    0.02 
 1  2  3
= 10000  4 1000   0.02   6 100   0.0004   4 10   0.000008 

 0.00000016
= 9920.23968
3
Q.29 Calculate  0.97  by means of binomial theorem.
3 3
Ans.  0.97   1  0.03

3  3 2 1  3 1 2  3 0 3
= 1    1   0.03    1   0.03    1   0.03
1  2 3
= 1  3 1  0.03  3 1 0.0009   11  0.000027 

= 1  0.09  0.0027  0.000027  0.912673 .

4
Q.30 Calculate  2.02  by binomial theorem.
4 4
Ans.  2.02    2  0.02 
  4 1 4 2  4 3 4
 24    23  0.02     22  0.02     21  0.02    0.02 
1 2  3
= 16 + (4)(8)(0.02) +(6)(4)(0.0004) + (4)(2)(0.000008) + 0.00000016
= 16 + 0.64 + 0.0096 + 0.000064 + 0.00000016
= 16.64966416
n
Q.31 What will be the middle term in the expansion of  a  x  if n is odd?
th
n  n 1
Ans. If n is odd, the middle terms in the expansion of  a  x  are   and
 2 
th
 n 3
  terms.
 2 
n
Q.32 What will be the middle term in the expansion of  a  x  if n is even?
th
n  n2
Ans. If n is even, the middle terms in the expansion of  a  x  is  
 2 
term.
12
 1 x2 
Q.33 Determine the middle term in the expansion of    .
x 2 
Ans. There are 13 terms in the expansion, so the middle term is the 7th term.
 n
 Tr 1    a n  r x r
r
12  6 6
12   1   x2 
T61      
 6  x   2

1 x12 231 6
 T7  924. .  x .
x 6 64 16
4
Q.34 Find the middle term of  a  b  .

Ans. There are 5 terms in the expansion, so the middle term is the 3rd term.
 n
 Tr 1    a n  r x r
r
 4
T21    a 4 2b 2  T3  6a 2b 2 .
 2
Q.35 Show that the sum of the binomial coefficients in the expansion of
n
a  b is 2n .

Ans. The binomial expansion is

n  n n  n
a  b  a n    a n 1b    a n  2b 2    a n 3b3  ...  b n
1  2  3
Put a = 1, b =1
n n  n  n1  n  n  2 2  n  n 3 3 n
1  1
 1    1 1    1 1    1 1  ...  1
1  2  3
 n  n  n
 2n  1           ...  1
 1  2  3
n n  n  n n
=             ...   
0 1  2  3 n
 n  n  n  n  n
             ...     2n .
 0  1  2  3  n
n
Q.36 What is the sum of even coefficients in the expansion of  a  b  ?
n
Ans. The sum of even coefficients in the expansion of  a  b  is 2n1 .
n
Q.37 What is the sum of odd coefficients in the expansion of  a  b  ?
n
Ans. The sum of odd coefficients in the expansion of  a  b  is 2n1 .
5
Q.38 What is the sum of coefficients in the expansion of 1  x  ?
n
Ans. Since the sum of coefficients in the expansion of  a  b  is 2n , so the sum
5
of coefficients in the expansion of 1  x  is 25  32 .
5
Q.39 What is the sum of even coefficients in the expansion of 1  x  ?
n
Ans. Since the sum of even coefficients in the expansion of  a  b  is 2n1 , so
5
the sum of even coefficients in the expansion of 1  x  is 251  24  16 .
5
Q.40 What is the sum of odd coefficients in the expansion of 1  x  ?
 n
Ans. Since the sum of odd coefficients in the expansion of  a  b  is 2n1 , so
5
the sum of odd coefficients in the expansion of 1  x  is 251  24  16 .

BINOMIAL SERIES
Q.41 State binomial theorem for any index.
Ans. If n is not a positive integer and x  1 i.e. –1 < x < 1, then

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
Q.42 What is the difference between the Binomial Theorem and the Binomial
Series?
Ans. The Binomial theorem is applied when index is a positive integer while
the Binomial series is applied when index is not a positive integer.
There is finite number of terms in the Binomial theorem expansion
whereas there is infinite number of terms in the Binomial series expansion.
Q.43 Without simplification write the first four terms of the binomial expansion
2
of 1  x  .

n n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
2 2  2  1 2  2  1 2  2 
 1  x   1   2  x  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
Q.44 Without simplification write the first four terms of the binomial expansion
1
of 1  3x  3 .

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
11  1  1  1 
1   1   1  2 
1 3 3 
 1   3 x     3x   3  3  3    3x   ...
2 3
 1  3x  3
3 2! 3!
1
Q.45 Expand to three terms the expansion 1  2x  3 .
 n n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
11 
1
1   1
3 3 
 1   2 x   
2
 1  2x  3  2 x   ...
3 2!
2 1
 1  x   4 x 2   ...
3 9
2 4
 1 x  x 2  ...
3 9
2
 x
Q.46 Expand 1   up to three terms.
 2

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
2 2
 x  x  2  2  1  x 
 1    1   2          ...
 2  2 2!  2
3 2
 1 x  x  ...
4
1
 3 
Q.47 Expand 1  x  up to three terms.
 2 
n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1 2
 3   3  1 1  1  3 
 1  x   1   1   x     x   ...
 2   2  2!  2 
3 9
 1 x  x 2  ...
2 4
1

Q.48 Expand 1  x  3 up to four terms.

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1 1  1  1  1 
1
    1     1   2 
  1 3 3  2 3  3  3  x3  ...
 1  x  3  1    x  x 
 3 2! 3!
 1 2 14
 1  x  x 2  x 3  ...
3 9 81
1
Q.49 Expand 1  x  2 up to four terms.

n n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
11  1  1  1 
1   1   1  2 
1 2 2 
 1 x     x   2  2  2    x   ...
2 3
 1  x  2
2 2! 3!
1 1 1
 1 x  x 2  x 3  ...
2 8 16
3
Q.50 Expand 1  x  up to four terms.

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
3
 1  x 

3  3  1 2 3  3  1 3  2  3
 1   3  x   x  x  ...
2! 3!
 1  3 x  6 x 2   10    x 3   ...

 1  3x  6 x 2  10 x3  ...
2

Q.51 Expand  8  5x  3 up to three terms.

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
2
2 2 
   5  3
8  5x  3 8 3
1  x 
 8 
  2  2  
2   2  5    3   3  1  5 2 
= 2 3 3
 1      x       x  ...
 
  3  8  2!  8  
 

2  5 5  25 2  
=  2 1  12 x  9  64 x   ...
   
 1 5 125 2 
= 1  x  x  ... 
4  12 576 
1 5 125 2
=  x x  ...
4 48 2304
1
Q.52 Expand  8  2x  up to four terms.

n n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
1 1
1 1 2x  1 x
8  2 x   8 1    1  
 8  8 4
2 3
1  x  1 1  1  x  1 1  1 1  2   x  
 1   1             ...
8   4 2!  4 3!  4 

1  x x 2 x3 
 1     ...  .
8  4 16 64 
3
Q.53 Find the general term in the expansion of 1  x  .

n  n  1 n  2  ...  n  r  1 r
Ans. Tr 1  x
r!
3   4  5  ...  3  r  1 r
 x
r!
r


 1 .3.4.5...  r  2  r
x
r!
r 1.2.3.4.5...  r  2  r
  1 x
1.2.r !
r r ! r  1 r  2  r
  1 x
1.2.r !

  1
r  r  1 r  2  x r .
2
Q.54 Using binomial theorem, find the value of 4 17 to two places of decimals.

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
 1
1 1
 1 4
 17  16  1
4 4 4
 16 1  
 16 
 11  
 1  1  4  4  1  1  2 
 2 1      
   ... 
 4  16  2!  16  
 
 
 1 3 
 2 1    ...   2.03
 64 8192 
1
Q.55 Evaluate  0.8  3 correct to three places of decimal.

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1 1
  0.8  3  1  0.2  3

11  1  1  1 
1   1   1  2 
3 3 
 1    0.2      0.2   3  3  3    0.2   ...
2 3

3 2! 3!
0.2 1 5
 1   0.04     0.008   ...
3 9 81
 1  0.0667  0.0044  0.0005
 0.928 .

Q.56 Using binomial theorem, find the value of 99 to three places of

decimals.
n n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
1
 99  100  1 2
1
1 1
 1 2
  10 1  0.01 2
2
 100 1 
 100 
 11  
 1   1 
2 2 
 10 1   0.01  
2
 0.01  ... 
 2 2! 
 
 
  10 1  0.005  0.0000125   9.950

7
Q.57 Using binomial theorem, find the value of to three places of decimals.
8

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1
7 7 1  1 2
   1   1  
8 8 8  8

11  1  1  1 
 1 1  2
1  1  2  2   1  2  2   2
 2 3
  1
 1            ...
2 8 2!  8  3!  8
1 1 1
 1    ...  0.935
16 512 8192
1
Q.58 Using binomial theorem, find the value of 3
to three places of
998
decimals.
n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1
1 1 
1    2  3

3
 1000  2  3  1000 3
1  
998  1000 
1

 0.11  0.002  3

 1 1  
  1     1 
3 3  2
 0.1 1       0.002     0.002   ... 
  3 2! 
 
 
 0.100
3
Q.59 Prove by binomial series that 30  3.107 .

n n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
1
 3 30   27  3 3
 1 1
1
3
3 3  1 3
 27 1    3 1  
 27   9
 11  
 1  1  3  3  1  1 2 
 3 1      
   ...
 3 9 2!  9  
 

 1  1  1  
 3 1        ...
 27  9  81  
1 1
 3   ...
9 243
 3  0.1111  0.0041  3.107 .
Q.60 If x is so small that its square and higher powers can be neglected, then
1 x 3
show that  1 x .
1 x 2

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1
1 x 
  1  x 1  x  2
1 x

  1 
 1  x  1       x  
  2 
 1 3 
 1  x  1  x  x 2 
 2 8 
1 3
 1 x  x  1 x .
2 2
Q.61 If x is so small that its square and higher powers can be neglected, then
1 x 3
show that  1 x .
1 x 2

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1
1 x 
  1  x 1  x  2
1 x
   1   1 
 1  x  1     x   1  x  1  x 
  2   2 
1 3
 1 x  x  1 x .
2 2
Q.62 If x is so small that its square and higher powers can be neglected, then

1 2x 3
show that  1 x .
1 x 2

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1 1
1 2x 
  1  2 x  2 1  x  2
1 x

 1   1 
 1   2 x   1       x  
 2   2 
 1 
 1  x  1  x 
 2 
1 3
 1 x  x  1 x .
2 2
Q.63 If x is so small that its square and higher powers can be neglected, then

4 x 25
show that 3
 2 x.
1  x  4

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1
1 1
4 x 3  x 2 3
 3
  4  x  1  x 
2  4 1   1  x 
2

1  x   4

 1 x
 2 1  .  1   3  x  
 2 4
 x
 2 1   1  3x 
 8
 x   25  25
 2 1   3x   2 1  x  2 x.
 8   8  4
Q.64 If x is so small that its cube and higher powers can be neglected, then
1 9
show that 1  x  2 x 2  1  x  x2 .
2 8
n n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
1

 1  x  2 x 2  1   x  2 x 2   2

11 
1   1
2 2  2
= 1     x  2 x    
2
   x  2 x 2    ...
2 2!
1 1
 1  x  x2   x2 
2 8
1 1
= 1 x  x2  x2
2 8
1 9
= 1 x  x2 .
2 8
Q.65 If x is so small that its cube and higher powers can be neglected, then

1 x 1
show that  1  x  x2 .
1 x 2

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
1 1
1 x 
  1  x  2 1  x  2
1 x

 11    1 1  
 1   1     1
2 2  2   1 2 2  2

 1  x  x  1       x    
 x
 2 2!    2 2! 
   

 1 1  1 3 
 1  x  x 2 1  x  x 2 
 2 8  2 8 
1 1 1 1 3
 1 x  x2  x  x2  x2
2 8 2 4 8
1 2
 1 x  x .
2
Q.66 If x  1, find the coefficient of xn in the expansion of
2
1  x  x 2
 x 3  ... .

n n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
Ans.  1  x   1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
2
2  1 
 1  x  x 2  x3  ...   
 1 x 
2
 1  x 

2  2  1 2 2  2  1 2  2  3
 1   2   x    x  x  ...
2! 3!
 1  2 x  3 x 2  4 x3  ...   n  1 x n  ...

Thus, the coefficient of x n is n + 1.

2 3
1  1  1.3  1  1.3.5  1 
Q.67 If the series 1           ... is identical to the
2  4  2!4  4  3!8  4 

n n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
binomial series 1  x   1  nx  x  x  ... , find
2! 3!
the values of x and n.
Ans. Comparing the corresponding terms in both the series, we get
11 1
nx     x
24 8n
2
n  n  1 2 1.3  1 
x   
2! 2!4  4 
2
n  n  1  1  3
   
2!  8n  128
n  n  1 1 3
 2

2! 64n 128
n 1
 3  n  1  3n
n
1
 2n  1 i.e. n  
2
 1 1 1
x    
8n  1 4
8  
 2
1 1
Hence, x  and n   .
4 2

MCQ’s

PRINCIPLE OF MATHEMATICAL INDUCTION

1. The proposition 1 + 3 + 5 + … + (2n – 1)2 = n2 is valid for all
A) positive integers B) negative integers
C) integers D) whole numbers
2. If n is a positive integer, then 5n  2n is divisible by
A) 2 B) 3
C) 4 D) n
3. n !  2n  1 holds if
A) n > 4 B) n < 4
C) n ≤ 4 D) n ≥ 4
4. n 2  n  3 holds if
A) n ≤ 3 B) n ≥ 3
C) n < 3 D) n > 3

BINOMIAL THEOREM
n
5. If n is a positive integer, then  a  x  =
n n
n
A)  Cr a n  r x r B)  n
Cr a n  r x r
r 0 r 1

n 1 n
n
C)  Cr a n  r x r D)  n
Cr a n  r x r
r 0 r 0

5
6. (a – 2b) =
A) a 5  10a 4b  40a 3b 2  80a 2b3  80ab 4  32b5
B) a 5  10a 4b  40a 3b 2  80a 2b3  80ab 4  32b5
 C) a 5  10a 4b  40a 3b 2  80a 2b3  80ab 4  32b5
D) none of these
4
 1
7. x  =
 x
4 1 4 1
A) 1  x 4  4 x 2   B) 1  x 4  4 x 2  
x2 x4 x2 x4
4 1 4 1
C) x 4  4 x 2  6   D) x 4  4 x 2  6  
x2 x4 x2 x4
8. The number of terms in the binomial expansion is
A) equal to exponent B) one more than the exponent
C) one less than the exponent D) half of the exponent
n
9. The number of terms in the expansion of  a  x  is

A) n2 + 1 B) n2
C) n + 1 D) n – 1
7
 1 
10. The number of terms in the expansion of  x 2  2  is
 x 
A) 2 B) 6
C) 7 D) 8
n
11. The general term in the expansion of  a  x  is

A) (r – 1)th term B) rth term

C) (r + 1)th term D) nth term
n
12. The general term in the expansion of  a  x  is

A) n Cr a r x n  r B) n Cr a n  r x n  r

C) n Cr a n  r x r D) none of these
6
a 2
13. The general term in the expansion of    is
2 a
62 r 6 2 r
6 r a 6 a 
A)    1   B)   
r 2  r  2 
 62 r
6 r  a 
C)    2    D) none of these
r 2
14. In the binomial expansion, the coefficients of the terms equidistant from
the beginning and end are
A) reciprocal B) unequal
C) equal D) additive inverses of each other
23
15. The coefficient of 21st term in the expansion of  a  x  is same as the

coefficient of
A) 2nd term B) 3rd term
C) 4th term D) 5th term
n n n  n
16.   ,   ,   ,...,   are called
0 1  2  n
A) variables B) binomials
C) coefficients D) binomial coefficients
n
17. C0  n C1  nC2  ...  nCn 1  nCn =

A) n 2 B) 2n1
C) 2n1 D) 2n
n
18. C1  n C3  n C5  ...  n Cn 1 =

A) n 2 B) 2n1
C) 2n1 D) 2n
n
19. The sum of even coefficients in the binomial expansion of  a  x  is

A) 2n1 B) 2n1
C) 2n D) n + 1
n
20. The sum of odd coefficients in the binomial expansion of  a  x  is

A) 2n B) 2n1
C) 2n1 D) n + 1
21. In the binomial expansion, the sum of even coefficients and the some of
odd coefficients are
 A) reciprocal B) unequal
C) equal D) additive inverses of each other
n
22. The sum of exponents in each term in the expansion of  a  x  is

A) 0 B) n
C) n + 1 D) 2n
6
 1
23. The coefficient of 4th term in the expansion of  x   is
 x

A) 6 C1 B) 6 C2

C) 6 C3 D) 6 C4
7
24. The second term in the expansion of  a  x  is

A) a 7 B) 7a 6 x
C) 7ax 6 D) x 7
12
 1 
25. One of the terms in the expansion of  x   contains no variable.
 x
Which of the following is the simplified form of that term?
A) 495 B) – 495
C) 495 x D) none of these
n
26. If n is odd, the expansion of  a  x  has _________ middle term(s).

A) 1 B) 2
C) many D) no
n
27. If n is even, then the middle term(s) in the expansion of  a  x  is/are
th th
n n 
A)   term B)   1 term
2 2 
th th
 n 1   n3
C)   and   terms D) none of these
 2   2 
n
28. If n is odd, then the middle term(s) in the expansion of  a  x  is/are
th th
n n 
A)   term B)   1 term
2 2 
 th th
 n 1   n3
C)   and   terms D) none of these
 2   2 
6
29. The middle term(s) in the expansion of 1  2x  is/are

A) 3rd term B) 4th term

C) 3rd and 4th terms D) 5th term
11
30. The middle term(s) in the expansion of  a  x  is/are

A) 6th term B) 7th term

C) 6th and 7th terms D) 7th and 8th terms
6
31. The middle term in the expansion of  x 2  y  is

A) 20 x6 y3 B) – 20 x6 y3
C) 20 x3 y3 D) – 20 x3 y3

BINOMIAL SERIES
n
32. If n is not a non-negative integer, then expansion of 1  x  is valid for

A) –1 < x < 1 B) –1 < x ≤ 1

C) –1 ≤ x < 1 D) –1 ≤ x ≤ 1
3
33. The expansion of 1  x  is valid when

A) |x| > 1 B) |x| < 1

C) |x| = 1 d) none of these
2

 5  3
34. The expansion of 1  x  is valid when
 8 
8 8
A) x  B) x 
5 5
8
C) x  D) none of these
5
1
35. The expansion of  2  3x  2 is valid only if

3 3
A) –1 < x < 1 B)   x 
2 2
 2 2
C) –3 < x < 3 D)   x 
3 3
1

36. The expansion of  2  3x  2 is valid only if

3 3
A) –1 < x < 1 B)   x 
2 2
2 2
C) –3 < x < 3 D)   x 
3 3
n
37. If n is not a non-negative integer and 1  x  1 , then 1  x  =

n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
A) 1  nx  x2  x 3  ...  x n
2! 3!
n  n  1 n  n  1 n  2 
B) 1  nx  x2  x 3  ...
2! 3!
n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
C) 1  nx  x  x  ...
2! 3!
n  n  1 2 n  n  1 n  2  3
D) 1  nx  x  x  ...  x n
2! 3!
38. If –1 < x < 1, then expansion of 1  x up to two terms is
1 1
A) 1  x B) 1  x
2 2
C) 1 + x D) 1 – x
n
39. If –1 < x < 1, then the second term in the expansion of 1  x  is

n  n  1 2
A) 1 B) x
2!
n  n  1 n  2  3
C) nx D) x
3!
n
40. If –1 < x < 1, then the third term in the expansion of 1  x  is

n  n  1 2
A) 1 B) x
2!
n  n  1 n  2  3
C) nx D) x
3!
 1
41. The (r + 1)th term in the expansion of 1  x  is
r
A) x r B)  1 x r
r
C)  1  r  1 x r D)  r  1 x r

42. The binomial form of 27 is

1 1
A)  2  25  2 B)  25  2  2
1 1
C)  26  1 2 D)  50  23 2

43. If x is so small that its square and higher powers can be neglected, then
1 x
=
1 x
3 3
A) 1  x B) 1  x
2 2
1 1
C) 1  x D) 1  x
2 2
1 x
44. The coefficient of x3 in the expansion of 2
is
1  x 
A) 6 B) – 6
C) 7 D) – 7
2 3
45. If –1 < x < 1, then 1 – x + x – x + … =
1 1
A) B)
1 x 1 x
1
C) D) none of these
x 1

Key to MCQ’s

1 A 2 B 3 D 4 B 5 D 6 C 7 D 8 B 9 C 10 D
11 C 12 C 13 A 14 C 15 C 16 D 17 D 18 B 19 B 20 C
21 C 22 B 23 C 24 B 25 A 26 B 27 B 28 C 29 B 30 C
31 B 32 A 33 B 34 C 35 D 36 D 37 C 38 B 39 C 40 B
41 B 42 B 43 B 44 D 45 A
 Exercise

1. If n is a positive integer then n 2  n is divisible by

A) 2 B) 3
C) 4 D) 5
2. The inequality n !  2n  1 is valid if n is
A) n  3 B) n  3
C) n  4 D) n  4
3. 2n  1  n ! is true for
A) n  1 B) n  2
C) n  3 D) n  4
4. The inequality 3n  n ! holds for positive integral values of n if
A) n > 2 B) n > 3
C) n > 4 D) n > 6
5. The inequality 4n  3n  4 is true for n equal to
A) 2 B) 1
C) –1 D) – 2
6. n 2  n  41 represents a prime number for n  where
A) n  10 B) n  20
C) n  40 D) none of these
7. An algebraic expression consisting of two terms is called
A) polynomial B) binomial
C) monomial D) trinomial
9
8. The number of terms in the expansion of  a  b  is

A) 10 B) 11
C) 12 D) 5
3
9. The number of terms in the expansion of  a  2b  is

A) 4 B) 5
C) 6 D) 7
 13
10. The number of terms in the expansion of  2a  b  is

A) 12 B) 13
C) 14 D) 15
n
11. If n is even, the middle term in the expansion of  a  b  is

n n 1
A) 1 B)
2 2
n 1
C) D) none of these
2
4
12. In the expansion of  3  x  , middle term will be

A) 81 B) 54x 2
C) 26x 2 D) 6x 4
n
13. In the expansion of 1  x  , the sum of binomial coefficients is

A) n B) n + 1
C) 2n D) 2n1
n n n  n 
14. If n is even positive integer, then          ...    equals
1  3  5  n  1
A) 2n B) 2n1
C) 2n1 D) 3n
5
15. The sum of odd coefficients in the expansion of 1  x  is

A) 16 B) 32
C) 25 D) 5
5
16. The coefficient of the last term in  a  b  is

A) 1 B) –1
C) 0 D) none of these
n
17. (r + 1) th term in the expansion of  a  b  where n  is

n n
A)   a n r b r B)   a n  r b r 1
r r
 n n
C)   a n  r 1 b r 1 D)   a n  r b r 1
r r
n  n  1 2
18. If n is a positive integer and | x | < 1, then 1  nx  x  ... is
2!
A) arithmetic series B) geometric series
C) harmonic series D) binomial series
1
19. Second term in the expansion of 1  2x  3 is

x x
A) B)
2 3
2x 2x
C) D) 
3 3
1
20. The second term in the expansion of 1  2x  3 is

x x
A) B)
2 3
2x 2x
C) D) 
3 3
3
21. The first three terms in the expansion of 1  x  are

A) 1  3x  6 x 2 B) 1  3 x  6 x 2
C) 1  3 x  3 x 2 D) 1  3 x  6 x 2
1
22. Expansion of  8  2x  is valid if

A) x  4 B) x  4

C) x  0 D) x  4
3
23. The expression 1  x  holds when

A) x  0 B) x  1

C) x  1 D) x  0
1
24. Expansion of 1  2x  3 is valid if

A) x  1 B) x  2
 1 1
C) x  D) x 
2 4
1

25. The expansion of  3  5x  2 is valid only if

5
A) x  5 B) x 
3
3 1
C) x  D) x 
5 2

Key to MCQ’s

1 A 2 D 3 D 4 D 5 A 6 D 7 B 8 A 9 A 10 C
11 A 12 D 13 C 14 C 15 A 16 B 17 A 18 D 19 D 20 C
21 A 22 B 23 B 24 C 25 C