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Binomial Theorem

13 practice questions with full worked solutions. Free, no account needed.

Problems & worked solutions

Problem #0162 International

Problem 1 — Binomial Theorem

In the expansion of (x+1)4, the coefficient of x2 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 2
  2. B. 4
  3. C. 6✓ correct
  4. D. 12

The coefficient of x2 corresponds to k=2: (42)=6.

Problem #0163 International

Problem 2 — Binomial Theorem

The expansion of (x−1)3 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. x3−1
  2. B. x3−3x2+3x+1
  3. C. x3−3x2+3x−1✓ correct
  4. D. x3+3x2−3x−1

(x−1)3=x3−3x2+3x−1.

Problem #0161 International

Problem 3 — Binomial Theorem

The expansion of (a+b)2 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. a2+b2
  2. B. a2−2ab+b2
  3. C. a2+2ab+b2✓ correct
  4. D. 2(a+b)

The binomial formula gives (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2.

Problem #0769 IB AA

Problem 4 — Binomial Formula

Find the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of (2x+3)5.

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 720✓ correct
  2. B. 1080
  3. C. 72
  4. D. 360

The general term in the expansion is Tk+1=(5k)(2x)5−k(3)k The power of x is 5−k, so set 5−k=3  ⟹  k=2 Substituting k=2: (52)(2)3(3)2=10⋅8⋅9=720

Problem #0167 International

Problem 5 — Binomial Theorem

The value of (60)−(61)+(62)−⋯+(66) is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 0✓ correct
  2. B. 1
  3. C. 32
  4. D. 64

∑k=06(−1)k(6k)=(1−1)6=0.

Problem #0165 International

Problem 6 — Binomial Theorem

The coefficient of x3 in (x+2)5 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 20
  2. B. 32
  3. C. 40✓ correct
  4. D. 80

5−k=3⇒k=2. Coefficient: (52)⋅22=10⋅4=40.

Problem #0164 International

Problem 7 — Binomial Theorem

The general term Tk+1 in the expansion of (2x+3)n is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. (nk)2kxk3n−k
  2. B. (nk)2n−kxn−k3k
  3. C. (nk)(2x)n−k3k✓ correct
  4. D. (nk)2k3n−kxn−k

With a=2x and b=3: Tk+1=(nk)(2x)n−k3k.

Problem #0166 International

Problem 8 — Binomial Theorem

The sum of all binomial coefficients in (x+1)10 is:

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 10
  2. B. 100
  3. C. 1024✓ correct
  4. D. 2048

The sum of coefficients of a polynomial P(x) is P(1). So ∑k=010(10k)=(1+1)10=210=1024.

Problem #0803 UK A-Level

Problem 9 — Binomial Formula

In the binomial expansion of (2+3x)5, find the coefficient of the term in x3.

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 720
  2. B. 1080✓ correct
  3. C. 108
  4. D. 120

The general term in the expansion is (5r)(2)5−r(3x)r.

The term in x3 comes from r=3: (53)(2)5−3(3)3 x3.

Evaluate each factor: (53)=10,22=4,33=27.

Multiply: 10×4×27=1080.

So the coefficient of x3 is 1080.

Problem #0909 US Honors

Problem 10 — Binomial Formula

In the expansion of (2x+3)5, what is the coefficient of the x3 term?

Show answer & worked solution
  1. A. 720✓ correct
  2. B. 1080
  3. C. 90
  4. D. 10

The general term is Tk=(5k)(2x)5−k(3)k. For the x3 term, set the exponent of x equal to 3: 5−k=3  ⟹  k=2. Substitute k=2: (52)(2x)3(3)2=10⋅8x3⋅9. So the coefficient is 10⋅8⋅9=720.

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