Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

EXERCISE 8.1
Expand each of the expressions in Exercises 1 to 5.
1. (1 – 2x)5
Sol. (1 – 2x)5 = 5C0 (1)5 – 5C1 (1)4 (2x) + 5C2 (1)3 (2x)2 –
5
C3 (1)2 (2x)3 + 5C4 (1) (2x)4 – 5C5 (2x)5
[∵ The terms in the Binomial expansion (x – y)n are alternately
positive and negative]
= 1 – 5(2x) + 10(4x2) – 10(8x3) + 5(16x4) – 32x5
 5 5×4 
∵ C5 = 5C0 = 1, 5C4 = 5C1 = 5, 5C3 = 5C2 = = 10 
 2×1 
= 1 – 10x + 40x2 – 80x3 + 80x4 – 32x5.

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 Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

5
2 x
2.  – 
x 2
5 5 4 3 2
2 x  2  2  x  2  x
Sol.  −  = 5C0   5 5
– C1     + C2    
 x 2  x  x  2  x  2
2 3 4 5
 2  x  2  x  x
– 5C3     + 5C4     – 5C5  
 x  2  x  2  2

32  16   x  8   x2 
= 5 – 5  4  2  + 10  3   
x x    x   4 
 4   x3  4
 2  x  x5
– 10  2    + 5     –
x   8   x   16  32
 5 5×4 
∵ C5 = 5C0 = 1, 5C4 = 5C1 = 5, 5C3 = 5C2 = = 10 
 2×1 
32 40 20 5 3 1 5
= 5
– 3 + – 5x + x – x .
x x x 8 32
3. (2x – 3)6
Sol. (2x – 3)6 = 6C0 (2x)6 – 6C1 (2x)5 (3) + 6C2 (2x)4 (3) 2
– 6C3 (2x)3 (3)3 + 6C4 (2x)2 (3)4 – 6C5 (2x)(3)5 + 6C6 (3)6

= 64x6 – 6(32x5)(3) + 15(16x4)(9) – 20(8x3) (27)

+ 15(4x2)(81) – 6(2x)(243) + 729
 6 6×5
∵ C6 = 6 C0 = 1, 6 C5 = 6 C1 = 6, 6 C4 = 6 C2 = = 15,
 2×1

6×5×4 6 
= 20  C3 =
3 × 2 ×1 
= 64x6 – 576x5 + 2160x4 – 4320x3 + 4860x2 – 2916x + 729.
5
x 1
4.  + 
3 x
5 5 4 3 2
 x 1  x  x 1  x 1
Sol.  +  = 5C0   + 5C1     + 5C2    
3 x 3 3  x 3  x
2 3 4 5
 x 1  x 1 1
+ 5C3     + 5C4    x + 5C5  
3  x 3    x

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 Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

x5  x4  1  x3   1 
= + 5    x  + 10  27   2 
243  81      x 

 x2   1   x  1  1
+ 10    3  + 5    4  + 5
9
   x   3   x  x

 5 5×4 
∵ C5 = 5C0 = 1, 5C4 = 5C1 = 5, 5C3 = 5C2 = = 10 
 2×1 

1 3 5 3 10 10 5 1
= x + x + x + + 3 + .
243 81 27 9x 3x x5
6
 1
5.  x + 
 x
6 2 3
 1 1 1 1
Sol.  x +  = 6C0 x6 + 6C1 x5   + 6C2 x4   + 6C3 x3  
 x   x  x
   x
4 5 6
1 1 1
+ 6C4 x2   + 6C5 x   + 6C6  
 x  x  x
15 6 1
= x6 + 6x4 + 15x2 + 20 +2
+ 4 + 6.
x x x
Using binomial theorem, evaluate each of the following:
6. (96)3
Sol. (96)3 = (100 – 4)3
= 3C0 (100)3 – 3C1 (100)2 (4) + 3C2 (100) (4)2 – 3C3 (4)3
= 1000000 – 3(40000) + 3(1600) – 64
[... 3C3 = 3C0 = 1, 3C2 = 3C1 = 3]
= 1000000 – 120000 + 4800 – 64
= 1004800 – 120064 = 884736.
5
7. (102)
Sol. (102)5 = (100 + 2)5
= 5C0 (100)5 + 5C1 (100)4 (2) + 5C2 (100)3 (2)2
+ 5C3 (100)2 (2)3 + 5C4 (100) (2)4 + 5C5 (2)5
= 10000000000 + 5(200000000) + 10(4000000)
+ 10(80000) + 5(1600) + 32

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

 5 5 5 5 5 5 5×4 
∵ C5 = C0 = 1, C4 = C1 = 5, C3 = C2 = 2 × 1 = 10 
 
= 10000000000 + 1000000000 + 40000000 + 800000
+ 8000 + 32
= 11040808032.
8. (101)4
Sol. (101)4 = (100 + 1)4
= 4C0 (100)4 + 4C1 (100)3 + 4C2 (100)2 + 4C3 (100) + 4C4
= 100000000 + 4(1000000) + 6(10000) + 4(100) + 1
 4 4 4 4 4 4×3 
∵ C4 = C0 = 1, C3 = C1 = 4, C2 = 2 × 1 = 6 
 
= 100000000 + 4000000 + 60000 + 400 + 1
= 104060401.
9. (99)5
Sol. (99)5 = (100 – 1)5
= 5C0 (100)5 – 5C1 (100)4 + 5C2 (100)3 – 5C3 (100)2
+ 5C4 (100) – 5C5
= 10000000000 – 5(100000000) + 10(1000000)
– 10(10000) + 5(100) – 1
 5 5 5 5 5 5 5× 4 
∵ C5 = C0 = 1, C4 = C1 = 5, C3 = C2 = = 10
 2×1 
= 10000000000 – 500000000 + 10000000 – 100000
+ 500 – 1
= 10010000500 – 500100001
= 9509900499.
10. Using Binomial Theorem, indicate which number is
larger (1.1)10000 or 1000?
Sol. (1.1)10000 = (1 + 0.1)10000
= 10000C0 + 10000C1 (0.1) + other positive terms
= 1 + 10000 × 0.1 + other positive terms
= 1 + 1000 + other positive terms
> 1000
⇒ (1.1)10000 > 1000.

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

11. Find (a + b)4 – (a – b)4. Hence, evaluate

( 3 + 2 )4 – ( 3 – 2 )4.
Sol. Expanding by binomial theorem
(a + b)4 – (a – b)4 = (4C0 a4 + 4C1 a3b + 4C2 a2b2 + 4C3 ab3
+ 4C4 b4) – (4C0 a4 – 4C1 a3b + 4C2 a2b2
– 4C3 ab3 + 4C4 b4)
= 2 ⋅ 4C1 a3b + 2 ⋅ 4C3 ab3
= 2 ⋅ 4 a3b + 2 ⋅ 4 ⋅ ab3 [∵ 4C3 = 4C1 = 4]
or 4 4 2 2
(a + b) – (a – b) = 8ab (a + b ) ...(i)
Putting a = 3 and b = 2 on both sides of (i),
( 3 + 2 )4 – ( 3 – 2 )4 = 8 3 2 (3 + 2)
= 40 6 .
6 6
12. Find (x + 1) + (x – 1) . Hence or otherwise evaluate
( 2 + 1)6 + ( 2 – 1)6.
Sol. (x + 1)6 + (x – 1)6
= [ 6 C 0 x 6 + 6 C1 x 5 + 6 C 2 x 4 + 6 C 3 x 3 + 6 C 4 x 2 + 6 C 5 x
+ 6C6] + [6C0 x6 – 6C1 x5 + 6C2 x4 – 6C3 x3
+ 6C4 x2 – 6C5 x + 6C6]
= 2(6C0 x6 + 6C2 x4 + 6C4 x2 + 6C6)
= 2(x6 + 15x4 + 15x2 + 1)
 6 6×5 
∵ C6 = 6 C0 = 1, 6 C4 = 6 C2 = = 15 
 2×1 
∴ (x + 1)6 + (x – 1)6 = 2(x6 + 15x4 + 15x2 + 1)
Putting x = 2 , we get
( 2 + 1)6 + ( 2 – 1)6 = 2[( 2 )6 + 15( 2 )4 + 15( 2 )2 + 1]
= 2[8 + 15(4) + 15(2) + 1]
= 2(99) = 198.
13. Show that 9n + 1 – 8n – 9 is divisible by 64, whenever
n is a positive integer.
Sol. 9n + 1 = (1 + 8)n + 1
= n + 1C0 + n + 1C1 ⋅ 8 + n + 1C2 ⋅ 82 + n +1C3 ⋅ 83
+ … + n + 1Cn + 1 ⋅ 8n + 1

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 Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

[∵ (1 + x)n = nC0 + nC1x + nC2 x2 + nC3 x3… + nCnxn]

or 9n + 1 = 1 + (n + 1) .8 + n + 1C2 .82 + n + 1C3 . 83
+ ... + n + 1Cn +1.8n + 1
Transposing the first two terms of R.H.S. to L.H.S.; we have
9n + 1 – 8n – 9 = 82[n + 1C2 + 8 ⋅ n + 1C3 + … + 8n – 1]
[∵ 8n +1 = 8n –1 + 1 + 1 = 8n –1 + 2 = 8n –1.82 ]
= 64 × a positive integer
∴9 n + 1 – 8n – 9 is divisible by 64.
n
14. Prove that ∑ 3r n
Cr = 4n.
r=0
Sol. We know that for n ∈ N,
(1 + x)n = nC0 + nC1 x + nC2 x2 + … + nCr xr
+ … + nCn xn ...(i)
Putting x = 3 on both sides of eqn. (i), we have
(1 + 3)n = 4n = nC0 + nC1 ⋅ 3 + nC2 ⋅ 32 + … + nCr 3r + ... + nCn ⋅ 3n

n
or 4n = ∑ 3r . n C r
r=0
n
or ∑ n
Cr . 3r = 4n .
=0

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 Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

EXERCISE 8.2
Find the coefficient of
1. x5 in (x + 3)8
Sol. Suppose x5 occurs in the (r + 1)th term of the expansion
of (x + 3)8.
Now, Tr + 1 = 8Cr . x8 – r . 3r, 0 ≤ r ≤ 8. ... (i)
[∵ Tr + 1 of (x + y)n = nCr xn–r yr]
It will contain x5 if 8 – r = 5, i.e., if r = 3
Putting r = 3 in (i). T4 = 8C3 x5.33
8×7×6
∴ Coefficient of x5 is 8C3 . 33 = × 27
3× 2×1
= 56 × 27 = 1512.

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

2. a5b7 in (a – 2b)12.
Sol. Suppose a5b7 occurs in the (r + 1)th term of the expansion of
(a – 2b)12.
12
Now, Tr + 1 = Cr . a12 – r
. (– 2b)r
12
= C r . (– 2) r . a 12 – r
. br ... (i)
It will involve a5b7 if 12 – r = 5 and r = 7, i.e., if r = 7
12
Putting r = 7 in (i), T8 = C7 (– 2)7a5b7
∴ Coefficient of a5b7 is 12
C7 (– 2)7 = 12
C5 (– 27)
12 × 11 × 10 × 9 × 8
= – × 27
5× 4 ×3× 2×1
= – 792 × 128
= – 101376.
Write the general term in the expansion of
3. (x2 – y)6
Sol. General term is Tr + 1 = 6Cr (x2)6 – r
(– y)r
[∵ General Term Tr + 1 of (x + y)n is nCr xn – ryr ]
= 6Cr . x12 – 2r
. (– 1)r yr
= (– 1)r . 6Cr . x12 – 2r
. yr .
4. (x2 – yx)12, x ≠ 0
12
Sol. General term is Tr + 1 = Cr . (x2)12 – r
. (– yx)r
12 24 – 2r
= Cr . x . (– 1)r . yr . xr
= (– 1)r . 12
Cr . x24 – r . yr. (∵ 24 – 2r + r = 24 – r)
5. Find the 4th term in the expansion of (x – 2y)12.
Sol. T4 = T3 + 1 (Here r = 3, n = 12)
12 12 – 3 3
= C3 x . (– 2y)
12 × 11 × 10
= . x 9 . (– 8y3)
3× 2×1
= – 220 × 8x9y3 = – 1760x9y3.
18
 1 
6. Find the 13th term in the expansion of  9 x –  ,
 3 x
x ≠ 0.

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

Sol. T13 = T12 + 1 (Here r = 12, n = 18)

12
18  1 
= C12 (9x)18 – 12 .  − 
 3 x
12 12
18 1
6
 1 
= C6 . (9x) .   .  
 3  x
. .
[ . nCr = nCn – r, (– 1)12 = + 1]
18 × 17 × 16 × 15 × 14 × 13 1 1
= . (32)6 . x6 . 12 . 6
6 ×5× 4 ×3× 2×1 3 x
1
= 18564 × 312 ×
= 18564.
312
Find the middle terms in the expansions of:
7
 x3 
7.  3 – 
 6 
7
 x3 
Sol. In the expansion of  3 −  , n = 7 is odd. Therefore,
 6 

there are two middle terms: Tn +1 = T7 +1 = T 4 and next

2 2
term T5
3
 x3  7×6×5  x9 
T4 = C3 (3)  −
7
 4
= × 81 ×  − 
 6  3× 2×1  216 

3 9 105 9
= – 35 × x = – x
8 8
4
 x3   x12 
and T5 = C4 (3)  −
7
 3
= C3 (27) 
7 
 6   1296 
7×6×5 x12 35 12
= × = x .
3× 2×1 48 48
10
x 
8.  + 9 y  .
 3 
10
x 
Sol. In the expansion of  + 9 y  ,n = 10 is even. Therefore
3 

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

there is only one middle term, namely Tn = T10 = T6

+1 +1
2 2
5 5
10  x 5 10 × 9 × 8 × 7 × 6 x
T6 = C5   . (9y) = . 5 (32)5 y5
3 5× 4 ×3× 2×1 3

310
= 252 × x5y5 = 252 × 35x5y5
35
= 252 × 243x5y5 = 61236x5y5.
9. In the expansion of (1 + a)m + n, prove that coefficients
of am and an are equal.
Sol. In the expansion of (1 + a)m + n, the general term is
Tr + 1 = m + nCr a r
[∵ Tr + 1 of (1 + x)n is nCr xr]
∴ Coefficient of ar is m + nCr. ...(i)
Putting r = m and r = n in (i),
(m + n) !
Coefficient of am = m + n
Cm = ...(ii)
m! n!
(m + n) !
and coefficient of an = m + n
Cn = ...(iii)
n! m!
From (ii) and (iii), we have
Coefficient of am = Coefficient of an.
10. The coefficients of the (r – 1)th, rth and (r + 1)th
terms in the expansion of (x + 1) n are in the ratio
1 : 3 : 5. Find n and r.
Sol. In the expansion of (x + 1)n, the general term is
Tr + 1 = nCr xn – r. (1)r = nCr xn – r
⇒ Coefficient of (r + 1) th term is nCr.
Changing r to r – 1 and r – 2, coefficient of rth term is
n
Cr – 1 and coefficient of (r – 1)th term is nCr – 2.
Since coefficients of (r – 1)th, rth and (r + 1)th terms are
in the ratio 1 : 3 : 5.
∴ nCr – 2 : nCr – 1 : nCr = 1 : 3 : 5.
⇒ n
Cr – 2 : n C r – 1 = 1 : 3 ...(i)
n n
and Cr – 1 : Cr = 3 : 5 ...(ii)

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

n! n!
From (i), : = 1 : 3
(r − 2) ! (n − r + 2) ! (r − 1) ! (n − r + 1) !
(r − 1) ! (n − r + 1) ! 1
⇒ . =
(r − 2) ! (n − r + 2) ! 3

(r − 1) (r − 2) ! . (n − r + 1) ! 1
⇒ =
(r − 2) ! (n − r + 2) (n − r + 1) ! 3
[∵ r – 1 > r – 2 and n – r + 2 > n – r + 1 ]
r −1 1
⇒ =
n−r+2 3
⇒ 3r – 3 = n – r + 2
⇒ n – 4r + 5 = 0 ...(iii)
n! n! 3
From (ii), : =
(r − 1) ! (n − r + 1) ! r ! (n − r) ! 5

r! (n − r) ! 3
⇒ . =
(r − 1) ! (n − r + 1) ! 5
r (r − 1) ! (n − r) ! 3
⇒ . =
(r − 1) ! (n − r + 1) (n − r) ! 5
r 3
⇒ =
n−r +1 5
⇒ 5r = 3n – 3r + 3
⇒ 3n – 8r + 3 = 0 ...(iv)
Multiplying (iii) by 2, we have
2n – 8r + 10 = 0 ...(v)
Subtracting (v) from (iv), n – 7 = 0 ∴ n = 7
Putting n = 7 in (iii), 7 – 4r + 5 = 0 ⇒ –4r = –12 ∴r = 3
Hence n = 7, r = 3.
11. Prove that the coefficient of xn in the expansion of
(1 + x)2n is twice the coefficient of xn in the expansion
of (1 + x)2n – 1.
Sol. In the expansion of (1 + x) 2n , the general term is
Tr + 1 = 2nCr xr.
⇒ Coefficient of xr is 2nCr
Changing r to n, coefficient of xn is

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

2n 2n ! 2n (2n − 1) !
Cn = =
n! n! n ! . n(n − 1) !
 (2n − 1) ! 
= 2  ...(i)
 n ! . (n − 1) ! 
In the expansion of (1 + x)2n – 1, the general term is

Tr + 1 = 2n – 1Cr xr
⇒ Coefficient of xr is 2n – 1Cr
Changing r to n, coefficient of xn is
2n – 1 (2n − 1) !
Cn = ...(ii)
n ! (n − 1) !
From (i) and (ii), it follows that the coefficient of xn in
the expansion of (1 + x)2n.
= 2 × coefficient of xn in the expansion of (1 + x)2n – 1.
12. Find a positive value of m for which the coefficient
of x2 in the expansion (1 + x)m is 6.
Sol. (1 + x)m = mC0 + mC1x + mC2 x2 + ... + mCm xm.
∴ Coefficient of x2 = mC2
Given: coefficient of x2 = 6
m(m − 1)
∴ m
C2 = 6 ⇒ =6
2×1
⇒ m2 – m – 12 = 0 ⇒ (m – 4)(m + 3) = 0
⇒ m = 4, – 3
∴ The required positive value of m is 4.

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISE ON CHAPTER 8

1. Find a, b and n in the expansion of (a + b)n if the

first three terms of the expansion are 729, 7290 and
30375, respectively.
Sol. In the expansion of (a + b)n, we are given that
T1 = 729 ⇒ n
C0 an = 729
⇒ an = 729 ...(i)
T2 = 7290 ⇒ nC1 an – 1b = 7290
⇒ nan – 1b = 7290 ...(ii)

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

T3 = 30375 ⇒ n
C2 an – 2b2 = 30375
n(n − 1) n – 2 2
⇒ a b = 30375
2×1
⇒ n(n – 1)an – 2b2 = 60750 ...(iii)
Dividing (ii) by (i), we get
na n − 1 b 7290 b 10
n
= ⇒ = ...(iv)
a 729 a n
[∵ an = an – 1 + 1 = an – 1a]
Dividing (iii) by (ii), we get
n(n − 1) a n − 2 b2 60750 b 25
n −1
= ⇒ = ...(v)
na b 7290 a 3(n − 1)
b
From (iv) and (v), equating the two values of , we have
a
10 25
=
n 3(n − 1)
2 = 5
⇒ ⇒ 6(n – 1) = 5n
n 3( n − 1)
⇒ 6n – 6 = 5n ∴ n = 6
Putting n = 6 in (i), a = 729 = 36
6

⇒ a= 3
Putting n = 6 and a = 3 in (ii),
6 × 35 b = 36 × 10 = 35 × 3 × 2 × 5
⇒ b=5
Hence a = 3, b = 5, n = 6.
2. F i n d a if t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s o f x 2 a n d x 3 i n t h e
expansion of (3 + ax)9 are equal.
Sol. In the expansion of (3 + ax)9, the general term is
Tr + 1 = 9Cr . 39 – r . (ax)r = 9Cr . 39 – r arxr
⇒ Coefficient of xr is 9Cr . 39 – r . ar
Putting r = 2 and 3, we have
coefficient of x2 = 9C2 . 37a2
and coefficient of x3 = 9C3 . 36a3
Since coefficients of x2 and x3 are given to be equal.
∴ 9
C2 . 3 7a 2 = 9 C3 . 3 6a 3
Dividing both sides by 36a2

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

9×8 9×8×7
⇒ × 3 = × a
2×1 3× 2×1
108 9
⇒ 108 = 84 a ⇒ a = =
84 7
3. Find the coefficient of x 5 in the product (1 + 2x) 6
(1 – x)7 using binomial theorem.
Sol. (1 + 2x)6 (1 – x)7
= [6C0 + 6C1 (2x) + 6C2 (2x)2 + 6C3 (2x)3 + 6C4 (2x)4
+ 6C5 (2x)5 + 6C6 (2x)6] [7C0 – 7C1 x + 7C2 x2
– 7C3 x3 + 7C4 x4 – 7C5 x5 + 7C6 x6 – 7C7 x7]
= [1 + 6(2x) + 15(4x2) + 20(8x3) + 15(16x4)
+ 6(32x5) + 64x6]
[1 – 7x + 21x – 35x + 35x – 21x5 + 7x6 – x7]
2 3 4

 6 6×5
∵ C6 = 6 C0 = 1, 6 C5 = 6 C1 = 6, 6 C4 = 6 C2 = = 15,
 2×1
6 6×5×4
C3 = = 20, 7 C7 = 7 C0 = 1, 7 C6 = 7 C1 = 7,
3× 2×1

7 7×6 7×6×5 
C5 = 7 C2 = = 21, 7 C4 = 7 C3 = = 35 
2×1 3× 2×1 
= (1 + 12x + 60x2 + 160x3 + 240x4 + 192x5 + 64x6)
× (1 – 7x + 21x2 – 35x3 + 35x4 – 21x5 + 7x6 – x7)
The terms containing x5 in this product are
= (1)(– 21x5) + (12x)(35x4) + (60x2)(– 35x3) + (160x3)(21x2)
+ (240x4)(– 7x) + (192x5)(1)
= (– 21 + 420 – 2100 + 3360 – 1680 + 192)x5
= 171x5
∴ Coefficient of x5 is 171.
4. If a and b are distinct integers, prove that a – b is a
factor of an – bn, whenever n is a positive integer.
Sol. We know that a = a – b + b
∴ an = [(a – b) + b]n
Expanding R.H.S. of the form (x + y)n by Binomial Theorem,
= nC0(a – b)n + nC1(a – b)n – 1 b
+ ... + nCn – 1(a – b) bn – 1 + nCn bn

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

Bringing the last term bn [∵ nCn = 1] to the L.H.S., we have

an – bn = (a – b)n + nC1(a – b)n – 1 b + ...
+ nCn – 1 (a – b) bn – 1
= (a – b)[(a – b)n – 1 + nC1(a – b)n – 2 b + ...
+ nCn –1bn –1]
= (a – b) (an integer)
∴ an – bn is divisible by a – b.
5. Evaluate ( 3 + 2 )6 – ( 3 – 2 )6 .

Sol. Putting 3 = a and 2 = b, the given expression is

= ( 3 + 2 )6 – ( 3 – 2 )6
= (a + b)6 – (a – b)6
= [ 6C0 a6 + 6C1 a5b + 6C2 a4b2 + 6C3 a3b3 + 6C4 a2b4
+ 6C5 ab5 + 6C6 b6] – [6C0 a6 – 6C1 a5b + 6C2 a4b2
– 6C3 a3b3 + 6C4 a2b4 – 6C5 ab5 + 6C6 b6]
= 2(6C1 a5b + 6C3 a3b3 + 6C5 ab5)
= 2(6a5b + 20a3b3 + 6ab5)
 6 6 6 6×5×4 
∵ C5 = C1 = 6, C3 = = 20 
 3× 2×1 
4 2 2 4
= 4ab(3a + 10a b + 3b )
∴ (a + b)6 – (a – b)6 = 4ab(3a4 + 10a2b2 + 3b4) ...(i)
Putting back a = 3 and b = 2 , in (i), we get
6 6
( 3 + 2) – ( 3 – 2)
=4 3 2 [3( 3 )4 + 10( 3 )2( 2 )2 + 3( 2 )4]


( t ) = (t ) = t 2 
4 1/2 4
= 4 6 [3(9) + 10(3)(2) + 3(4)] ∵
 

= 4 6 (27 + 60 + 12)
= 4 6 (99) = 396 6 .

6. Find the value of (a2 + a2 – 1 )4 + (a2 – a 2 – 1 ) 4.

Sol. Putting a2 = x and a2 − 1 = y, the given expression is

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

= (x + y)4 + (x – y)4
= [4C0 x4 + 4C1 x3y + 4C2 x2y2 + 4C3 xy3 + 4C4 y4]
+ [4C0 x4 – 4C1 x3y + 4C2 x2y2 – 4C3 xy3 + 4C4 y4]
= 2 [4C0 x4 + 4C2 x2y2 + 4C4 y4]
= 2(x4 + 6x2y2 + y4)
 4 4 4 4×3 
∵ C4 = C0 = 1, C2 = 2 × 1 = 6 
 
∴ (x + y) + (x – y) = 2(x + 6x y + y )
4 4 4 2 2 4
...(i)

Putting back x = a2 and y = a2 − 1 , in (i), we have

(a2 + a2 − 1 )4 + (a2 – a2 − 1 )4

= 2[(a2)4 + 6(a2)2 ( a2 − 1 )2 + ( a2 − 1 )4]

= 2[a8 + 6a4 (a2 – 1) + (a2 – 1)2]
= 2(a8 + 6a6 – 6a4 + a4 – 2a2 + 1)
= 2(a8 + 6a6 – 5a4 – 2a2 + 1)
= 2a8 + 12a6 – 10a4 – 4a2 + 2.
7. Find an approximation of (0.99)5 using the first three
terms of its expansion.
Sol. (0.99)5 = (1 – 0.01)5
Expanding by Binomial Theorem only up to first
three terms,
≈ 5C0 – 5C1 (0.01) + 5C2 (0.01)2
= 1 – 5(0.01) + 10(0.0001)
 5 5 5 5×4 
∵ C0 = 1, C1 = 5, C2 = 2 × 1 = 10 
 
= 1 – 0.05 + 0.001
= 1.001 – 0.050 = 0.951
∴ (0.99)5 is approximately equal to 0.951.
8. Find n, if the ratio of the fifth term from the beginning
to the fifth term from the end in the expansion of
n
4 1 
 2+4  is 6 : 1.
 3

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

Sol. The given Binomial Expression is

n n
4 1   1 
 2 + 4  =  21/4 + 1/4 
3  3 

1
put 21/4 = x and 1/4 = y
3
∴ The given binomial expansion is (x + y)n

5thTerm from beginning in ( x + y)n 6

According to given n
=
5thTerm from the end in ( x + y) 1

T5 of ( x + y)n = 6
⇒ T5 of ( y + x)n
[∵ p th term from end in (x + y)n = p th term from beginning in
(y + x)n]
n
C4 xn –4 y 4 6
⇒ n
C4 y n –4 x4
=

xn –4–4 6 ⇒ xn –8 6
⇒ = =
y n –4–4 y n –8
n –8
⇒
 x = 6

 y 

y 1
Putting x = 21/4 and = , we have
31/4
n –8 n –8
(21/4. 31/4 ) = 6 ⇒ (61/4 ) = 61/2 [∵ akbk = (ab)k
n –8
n –8 = 1
⇒ 6 4 = 61/2 ⇒
4 2
Cross-multiplying 2n –16 = 4 ⇒ 2n = 20 ⇒ n = 10

4
 x 2
9. Expand using Binomial Theorem  1 + –  , x ≠ 0.
 2 x
4 4
 x 2   x 2 
Sol.  1 + −  = 1 +  −  
 2 x   2 x 

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

2
 x 2  x 2
= 4C0 + 4C1  −  + 4C2  − 
2 x 2 x
3 4
 x 2  x 2
+ 4C3  −  + 4C4  − 
2 x 2 x
n n n n 2 n 3 + .........+ n
[∵ (1 + y) = C0 + C1y + C2y + C3y Cnyn
x 2
Here y = − ]
2 x
 x 2  x 2 2
 x  2   2  
= 1 + 4  −  + 6   − 2     +   
2 x  2   2   x   x  

 3  x 3 3  x 2  2  3  x   2 2 3  2 3 
+ 4  C0   − C1     + C2     − C3   
 2 2  x  2  x   x  

 4  x  4 4  x 3  2  4  x  2  2  2 4  x   2 3
+  C0   − C1     + C2     − C3    
 2 2  x 2  x  2  x 
4
4 2
C4   
 x 

8  x2 4
= 1 + 2x – + 6  −2+ 2 
x  4 x 
 x3  x2   2   x  4  8 
+ 4  − 3     + 3    2  − 3 
 8  4   x  2   x  x 
 x4  x3   2   x2   4   x   8  16 
+  − 4    + 6   2  − 4    3  + 4 
 8   x  4 x 
 16      2   x  x 

8 3 2 24 x3 24 32
= 1 + 2x – + x – 12 + 2 + – 6x + – 3
x 2 x 2 x x
x4 16 16
+ – x2 + 6 – 2 + 4
16 x x
16 32 8 16 x2 x3 x4
= – + + – 5 – 4x + + + .
x4 x3 x2 x 2 2 16

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Class 11 Chapter 8 - Binomial Theorem

10. Find the expansion of (3x 2 – 2ax + 3a 2 ) 3 using

binomial theorem.
Sol. (3x2 – 2ax + 3a2)3 = [(3x2 – 2ax) + 3a2] 3
= 3C0 (3x2 – 2ax)3 + 3C1 (3x2 – 2ax)2 (3a2)1
+ 3C2 (3x2 – 2ax)1 (3a2)2 + 3C3 (3a2)3
= [3C0 (3x2)3 – 3C1 (3x2)2(2ax) + 3C2 (3x2)(2ax)2 – 3C3 (2ax)3]
+ 3(9x4 – 12ax3 + 4a2x2)(3a2) + 3(3x2 – 2ax)(9a4) + 27a6
= 27x6 – 3(9x4)(2ax) + 3(3x2)(4a2x2) – 8a3x3
+ 9a2(9x4 – 12ax3 + 4a2x2) + 27a4(3x2 – 2ax) + 27a6
= 27x6 – 54ax5 + 36a2x4 – 8a3x3 + 81a2x4
– 108a3x3 + 36a4x2 + 81a4x2 – 54a5x + 27a6
= 27x6 – 54ax5 + 117a2x4 – 116a3x3 + 117a4x2 – 54a5x + 27a6.

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