Question
The fifth term in the expansion of the binomial \({(a + b)^n}\) is given by \(\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
{10}\\
4
\end{array}} \right){p^6}{(2q)^4}\) .
Write down the value of \(n\).
Write down a and b, in terms of p and/or q.
Write down an expression for the sixth term in the expansion.
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
\(n = 10\) A1 N1
[1 mark]
\(a = p\) , \(b = 2q\) (or \(a = 2q\) , \(b = p\) ) A1A1 N1N1
[2 marks]
\(\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}}
{10}\\
5
\end{array}} \right){p^5}{(2q)^5}\) A1A1A1 N3
[3 marks]
Question
Expand \({(2 + x)^4}\) and simplify your result.
Hence, find the term in \({x^2}\) in \({(2 + x)^4}\left( {1 + \frac{1}{{{x^2}}}} \right)\) .
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
evidence of expanding M1
e.g. \({2^4} + 4({2^3})x + 6({2^2}){x^2} + 4(2){x^3} + {x^4}\) , \((4 + 4x + {x^2})(4 + 4x + {x^2})\)
\({(2 + x)^4} = 16 + 32x + 24{x^2} + 8{x^3} + {x^4}\) A2 N2
[3 marks]
finding coefficients 24 and 1 (A1)(A1)
term is \(25{x^2}\) A1 N3
[3 marks]
Question
Given that \({\left( {1 + \frac{2}{3}x} \right)^n}{(3 + nx)^2} = 9 + 84x + \ldots \) , find the value of n .
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
attempt to expand \({\left( {1 + \frac{2}{3}x} \right)^n}\) (M1)
e.g. Pascal’s triangle, \({\left( {1 + \frac{2}{3}x} \right)^n} = 1 + \frac{2}{3}nx + \ldots \)
correct first two terms of \({\left( {1 + \frac{2}{3}x} \right)^n}\) (seen anywhere) (A1)
e.g. \(1 + \frac{2}{3}nx\)
correct first two terms of quadratic (seen anywhere) (A1)
e.g. 9 , \(6nx\) , \((9 + 6nx + {n^2}{x^2})\)
correct calculation for the x-term A2
e.g. \(\frac{2}{3}nx \times 9 + 6nx\) , \(6n + 6n\) , \(12n\)
correct equation A1
e.g. \(6n + 6n = 84\) , \(12nx = 84x\)
\(n = 7\) A1 N1
[7 marks]
Question
In the expansion of \({(3x + 1)^n}\), the coefficient of the term in \({x^2}\) is \(135n\), where \(n \in {\mathbb{Z}^ + }\). Find \(n\).
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
Note: Accept sloppy notation (such as missing brackets, or binomial coefficient which includes \({x^2}\)).
evidence of valid binomial expansion with binomial coefficients (M1)
eg\(\;\;\;\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} n \\ r \end{array}} \right){(3x)^r}{(1)^{n – r}},{\text{ }}{(3x)^n} + n{(3x)^{n – 1}} + \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} n \\ 2 \end{array}} \right){(3x)^{n – 2}} + \ldots ,{\text{ }}\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} n \\ r \end{array}} \right){(1)^{n – r}}{(3x)^r}\)
attempt to identify correct term (M1)
eg\(\;\;\;\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} n \\ {n – 2} \end{array}} \right),{\text{ }}{(3x)^2},{\text{ }}n – r = 2\)
setting correct coefficient or term equal to \(135n\) (may be seen later) A1
eg\(\;\;\;9\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} n \\ 2 \end{array}} \right) = 135n,{\text{ }}\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} n \\ {n – 2} \end{array}} \right){(3x)^2} = 135n,{\text{ }}\frac{{9n(n – 1)}}{2} = 135n{x^2}\)
correct working for binomial coefficient (using \(_n{C_r}\) formula) (A1)
eg\(\;\;\;\frac{{n(n – 1)(n – 2)(n – 3) \ldots }}{{2 \times 1 \times (n – 2)(n – 3)(n – 4) \ldots }},{\text{ }}\frac{{n(n – 1)}}{2}\)
EITHER
evidence of correct working (with linear equation in \(n\)) (A1)
eg\(\;\;\;\frac{{9(n – 1)}}{2} = 135,{\text{ }}\frac{{9(n – 1)}}{2}{x^2} = 135{x^2}\)
correct simplification (A1)
eg\(\;\;\;n – 1 = \frac{{135 \times 2}}{9},{\text{ }}\frac{{(n – 1)}}{2} = 15\)
\(n = 31\) A1 N2
OR
evidence of correct working (with quadratic equation in \(n\)) (A1)
eg\(\;\;\;9{n^2} – 279n = 0,{\text{ }}{n^2} – n = 30n,{\text{ (9}}{{\text{n}}^2} – 9n){x^2} = 270n{x^2}\)
evidence of solving (A1)
eg\(\;\;\;9n(n – 31) = 0,{\text{ }}9{n^2} = 279n\)
\(n = 31\) A1 N2
Note: Award A0 for additional answers.
[7 marks]
Question
The values in the fourth row of Pascal’s triangle are shown in the following table.
![]()
Write down the values in the fifth row of Pascal’s triangle.
Hence or otherwise, find the term in \({x^3}\) in the expansion of \({(2x + 3)^5}\).
Answer/Explanation
Markscheme
1, 5, 10, 10, 5, 1 A2 N2
[2 marks]
evidence of binomial expansion with binomial coefficient (M1)
eg\(\,\,\,\,\,\)\(\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} n \\ r \end{array}} \right){a^{n – r}}{b^r}\), selecting correct term, \({(2x)^5}{(3)^0} + 5{(2x)^4}{(3)^1} + 10{(2x)^3}{(3)^2} + \ldots \)
correct substitution into correct term (A1)(A1)(A1)
eg\(\,\,\,\,\,\)\(10{(2)^3}{(3)^2},{\text{ }}\left( {\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} 5 \\ 3 \end{array}} \right){(2x)^3}{(3)^2}\)
Note: Award A1 for each factor.
\(720{x^3}\) A1 N2
Notes: Do not award any marks if there is clear evidence of adding instead of multiplying.
Do not award final A1 for a final answer of 720, even if \(720{x^3}\) is seen previously.
[5 marks]
