C H A P T E R

6 Binomial Theorem

(i) nCr = nCn–r

CONCEPT BOOSTER (ii) nC0 = 1 = nCn
(iii) nC1 = n = nCn–1
1. DEFINITION
(iv) nC2 = n(n - 1) = nCn - 2
An algebraic expression which contains two and only two 2
terms, is called a binomial expressions. n(n - 1)(n - 2) n
(v) C3 =
n
= Cn - 3
1 3 x2 6
For examples, a + b, 2x + 3y, 4p + 5q, x + , - , etc.,
x x 4
are called binomial expressions. 4. BINOMIAL THEOREM (FOR POSITIVE INTEGRAL INDEX)
In general, expressions containing more than two terms For a, b ΠR, n ΠI+, then
are known as multinomial expressions.
(a + b)n = nC0 a n - 0b0 + nC1a n -1b1 + nC2 a n - 2b 2
2. FACTORIAL OF A NATURAL NUMBER, n. + + nCr a n - r b r + + nC n a n - n b n ,
It is a continued product of first n natural numbers. It is gen- where
n
erally denoted as n! or (n) and is defined as C0, nC1, nC2, …, nCn are called the binomial co-efficients.
n! = 1.2.3 … (n – 1).n. This theorem can also be described in summarized form as
= n(n – 1)(n – 2) … 3.2.1 n

= n(n – 1)! ( a + b) n = Â nC r a n - r b r …(i)

r =0
= n(n – 1)(n – 2)!
= n(n – 1)(n – 2)(n – 3)! and so on Some special cases:
(i) (–n)! is not defined 1. Replacing b by –b in Eq. (i), we get
(ii) (0)! = 1 n
(iii) (1)! = 1 ( a - b) n = Â (-1)r nCr a n - r br …(ii)
(iv) (2)! = 1 r =0
(v) (3)! = 6 2. Replacing a = 1, b = x in Eq. (ii), we get
(vi) (4)! = 24 n
(vii) (5)! = 120 (1 + x) n = Â nC r x r …(iii)
(viii) (6)! = 720 r =0
(ix) (2n)! = 2n ¥ (n!) ¥ {1.3.5 … (2n – 1)} 3. Replacing x by –x in Eq. (iii), we get
n
3. BINOMIAL CO-EFFICIENTS (1 - x) n = Â (-1)r nCr x r
r =0
For n Œ N, r Œ W and r £ n, the expression nCr is called a
binomial co-efficient and it is defined as 4. Adding Eqs (i) and (ii), we get
n! (a + b)n + (a – b)n
n
Cr = .
r ! ¥ (n - r )! = 2(a n + nC2 a n - 2b 2 + nC4 a n - 4b 4 + )

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 6.2 Algebra Booster

5. Subtracting Eqs (i) and (ii), we get Ê 2m + 2 ˆ Ê 2m + 2 ˆ

= Á + 1˜ th terms
Ë 2 ˜¯
(a + b)n – (a – b)n th and Á
Ë 2 ¯
= 2( nC1a n -1b1 + nC3a n - 3b3 + nC5 a n - 5b5 + ) = (m +1)th and (m + 2)th terms.
n +1 n -1
Notes n-m m
Thus, tm +1 = Cm a x = nC n - 1 a
n 2 2
x
1. The number of terms in the expansion of (a + b)n is 2
n -1 n +1
(n + 1). n - m -1 m +1
and tm + 2 = Cm +1 a = nC n +1 a
n
x 2 x 2
2. The sum of the powers of a and b in each term in the 2
expansion of (a + b)n is n.
4.5 Greatest Co-efficient in the Expansion of
4.1 Number of Terms in the Expansion of (a + x)n
(a + b)n + (a – b)n The greatest co-efficient in the expansion of (a + x)n is the
Ên ˆ co-efficient of the middle term
Case I: When n is even, the number of terms = Á + 1˜
Ë2 ¯ If n is even, the greatest co-efficient = nCn/2an/2.
Ê n + 1ˆ If n is odd, the greatest co-efficients are
Case II: When n is odd the number of terms = ÁË ˜
2 ¯
4.2 Number of Terms in the Expansion of = nC( n -1)/2 a
( ) and nC
n -1
2 ( )
n +1
2
( n +1)/2 a
(a + b)n + (a – b)n
Ê nˆ 4.6 Greatest Term in the Expansion of (a + x)n,
Case I: When n is even, the number of terms = Á ˜ when n is a Positive Integer
Ë 2¯
Ê n + 1ˆ Let tr and tr+1 be the rth and (r + 1)th terms respectively.
Case II: When n is odd, the number of terms = Á
Ë 2 ˜¯ Thus, tr = nCr–1an–r+1xr–1
4.3 General Term in the Expansion of (a + b)n and tr + 1 = nCran–r xr

The (r + 1)th term in the expansion of (a + b)n is known as the tr +1 n

Cr ◊ a n - r ◊ x r
Now, =
general term and is defined as tr Cr - 1 ◊ a n - r + 1 ◊ x r - 1
n
tr+1 = nCr an–r br
n
Cr x
Notes = n
¥
Cr - 1 a
1. The general term in the expansion of (1 + x)n is nCr ◊ xr.
2. The general term in the expansion of (1 – x)n is Ê n - r + 1ˆ x
(–1)r nCr ◊ xr. = Á ˜¯ ¥
Ë r a
3. The general term in the expansion of (a + x)n is
n
Cr ◊ an–r xr. Ê n +1 ˆ x
= Á - 1˜ ¥
4. The co-efficient of xr in (a + x)n is nCr ◊ an–r. Ë r ¯ a
5. The co-efficient of xr in (1 + x)n is nCr.
6. The co-efficient of xr in (1 – x)n is (–1)r nCr. Ê n +1 ˆ x tr +1
fi ÁË - 1˜ ¥ = >1
7. The rth term from the end in the expansion of (a + x)n r ¯ a tr
is
= (n + 1) – (r – 1) Ê n +1 ˆ x
fi ÁË - 1˜ ¥ > 1
= (n – r + 2)th term from the end. r ¯ a
Ê n + 1ˆ a
fi ÁË ˜¯ > 1 +
4.4 Middle Term in the Expansion of (a + x) . n r x
Case I: When n is an even number Ê r ˆ 1
fi ÁË n + 1˜¯ < Ê
Let n = 2m. aˆ
Ê 2m ˆ ÁË1 + x ˜¯
Thus the middle term = Á + 1˜ th term
Ë 2 ¯
n +1
= (m + 1)th term. fi r<
= tm+1 Ê aˆ
ÁË 1 + ˜¯
= nCman–mxm x
= nCn/2an/2xn/2
From this relation, the value of r is determined.
Case II: When n is an odd number
If r is an integer, say m, then m and (m + 1)th terms are
Let n = 2m + 1.
numerically the greatest terms of the given expansion and
Thus, the middle terms
they are equal.

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 Binomial Theorem 6.3

If r is a fraction, the next integer is numerically the great- 4.10 Integral and Fractional part of a number
est term.
(i) If ( P + Q) n = I + f , where I and n are natural num-
Alternative method bers, n being odd and 0 £ f < 1,
To determine the greatest term in the expansion of (a + x)n,
(1 + f)f = kn, where P – Q2 = k and Q - P < 1 .
we should use the following steps.
(ii) If ( P + Q) n = I + f , where I and n are natural num-
(n + 1) | x | bers, n being even and 0 £ f < 1,
1. Calculate m = .
a + | x| (I + f)(1 – f) = kn, where P – Q2 = k and Q - P < 1 .
2. If m ΠI, then tm and tm+1 are numerically the greatest
terms. 4.11 Properties of Binomial Co-efficients
3. If m Œ I, then t|m|+1 is numerically the greatest term, Let C0, nC1, nC2, …, nCn are the binomial co-efficients in the
n

where [,] = GIF. expansion of (1 + x)n.

4.7 Divisibility-related Problems in Binomial P 1. nC0 + nC1 + nC2 + + nCn = 2n
Theorem P 2. n
C0 + nC2 + nC4 + = 2 n -1
Consider the expansion P 3. nC1 + nC3 + nC5 + = 2 n -1
(1 + b)n = (1 + nC1 b + nC2 b 2 + nC3 b3 + + Cn b )
n n
P 4. nCr = nCn–r
and so P 5. n
C x = nC y fi x = y or x + y = n
(1 + b) - 1 = ( C1 b + C2 b + C3 b +
n n n 2 n 3
+ Cn b )
n n
Ê n - r + 1ˆ
n
Cr
P 6. =Á ˜¯
Cr - 1 Ë
n
[(1 + b) – 1] is divisible by b n
r
Also [(1 + b)n – bn – 1] is divisible by b2 and so on.
P 7. nCr + nCn–r = n+1Cr
Divisibility of (an ± bn) by (a ± b), where a, b, n Œ N
(i) When n is even, (an – bn) is divisible by (a + b) and (a – P 8. nCr + n -1Cr + n - 2Cr + n - 3Cr + + r Cr = n +1
Cr + 1
b) P 9. Summation upto middle term
(ii) When n is odd, (an – bn) is divisible by (a – b)
(iii) When n is odd, (an + bn) is divisible by (a + b).
2n
C0 + 2n
C1 + 2n
C2 + 2n
C3 + + 2n
Cn
1 2n
4.8 Unit Digit of a Natural Number = 22n -1 + Cn
2
The unit digit of a natural number depends on the period of P 10. Summation of series
that number. n
C3 + 2 n+1C3 + 3 n+2C3 + … + n 2n–1C3
We have, 21 = 2, 22 = 4, 23 = 8, 24 = 16 = – 2nC5 + nC5 + n 2nC4
Also, 25 = 32, 26 = 64, 27 = 128, 28 = 256
n n -1 n(n - 1) n - 2
Thus, the period of 2 is 4 P 11 n
Cr = ◊ Cr - 1 = ◊ Cr - 2 and so on.
Similarly, the period of 3 is 4 and also the period of 7 is 4. r r (r - 1)
For example, P 12. Sum of the series, when the sum of the lower suffices
(i) the unit digit of 22013 = 2(4¥503+1) is 2. are the same
(ii) the unit digit of 20122013 is same as 22013. m
Cr ◊ nC0 + mCr -1 ◊ nC1 + mCr - 2 ◊ nC2
(iii) the unit digit of 32014 = 3(4¥504+2) is 9.
m+n
(iv) the unit digit of (27)50 = 2150 = 3(4¥37+2) is 9. + + mCm ◊ nCr = Cr
9
(v) The unit digit of 99 is 9, since the period of 9 is 2.
P 13. Sum of the series, when the difference of the lower suf-
4.9 Rational Terms in the Expansion of (a , b ) , 1/p 1/q n fices are the same
where a and b are Prime Numbers, p and q n
C r ◊ nC n + n C r - 1 ◊ n C n - 1 + n C r - 2 ◊ nC n - 2
are Integers and n ΠN.
+ + nC0 ◊ nCn - r = 2n
Cn - r
First of all, we find the (r + 1)th term in the expansion of (a1/p
+ b1/q)n.
5. MULTINOMIAL THEOREM FOR POSITIVE INTEGRAL INDEX
Therefore, tr+1 = nCr(a1/p)n–r(b1/q)r
n-r r For n ΠI + ,
= Cr ¥ ( a )
n p
(b) q
(a1 + a2 + a3 + + am ) n
Now, by inspection, putting the values of 0 £ r £ n, when
Ê n ˆ k1 k2 k3
indices of a, b are integers. = Â km
ÁË k , k , k , …, k ˜¯ a1 a2 a3 … am
k1 + k2 + k3 + + km = n 1 2 3 m

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 6.4 Algebra Booster

Proof (iv) If n is a positive integer and a1, a2, …, am Œ C, the

1. (a1 + a2 ) = 2
a12 + 2a1a2 + a22 co-efficient of xr in the expansion of
(a1 + a2 + a3 + … + am)n is
= 2C0 a12 - 0 ◊ a20 + 2C1 a12 -1a12 + 2C2 a12 - 2 a22
Ê n! ˆ
2
 ÁË n !n !n !…n !˜¯ ¥ a1n a2n a3n º amn
1 2 3 m
= Â Ck a12 - k
2
◊ a2k 1 2 3 m
k =0
where n1, n2, …, nm are non-negative integers sub-
2
Ê 2ˆ ject to the condition
= Â Á ˜ a12- k ◊ a2k
k =0 Ë k¯
n1 + n2 + … + nm = n and n1 + 2n2 + … + mnm = r.
2
Ê 2 ˆ k1 k2 6. BINOMIAL THEOREM FOR ANY INDEX
= Â ÁË k , k
˜ a1 ◊ a2 , k1 + k2 = k
k =0 1 2 ¯
Statement: Let n ΠR and x be a real number such that
2. (a1 + a2 )3 = a 3 + 3a12 a2 + 3a1a22 + a23 |x| < 1, then

= 3C0 a13 - 0 a20 + 3C1a13 -1a12 + 3C2 a13 - 2 a22 + 3C3 a13 - 3 a23 (1 + x) n = 1 + nx +
n(n - 1) 2 n(n - 1)(n - 2) 3
x + x +
3 2! 3!
= Â 3Ck a13 - k ◊ a2k +
n(n - 1)(n - 2)…(n - r + 1) r
x +
k =0
n!
3
Ê 3ˆ
=  ÁË k ˜¯ a13 - k ◊ a2k Notes
k =0
1. If n is a whole number the condition |x| < 1 is unnec-
3
Ê 3 ˆ k1 k2 essary, while the same condition is essential if n is a
= Â ÁË k , k
˜ a1 ◊ a2 , k1 + k2 = k
k =0 1 2 ¯
rational number.
2. If n is a negative integer or a fraction, there are infi-
3. (a1 + a2 + a3)2 = (a1 + (a2 + a3))2 nite number of terms.
= (a12 + 2a1(a2 + a3) + (a2 + a3)2) 3. If n is a positive integer, the expansion of (1 + x)n
contains (n + 1) terms and coincides with
2
Ê 2ˆ
=  ÁË k ˜¯ a12 - k ◊ (a2 + a3 )k (1 + x)n = nC0 + nC1x + nC2x2 + … + nCnxn.
k =0 4. If the first term is not unity and the index of the bino-
Ê 2 ˆ k1 mial is either a negative or a fraction, the expansion
=  ÁË k , k ˜¯ a1 ◊ (a2 + a3 )
k
as follows.
k1 + k2 = 2 1 2
n
Ï Ê xˆ ¸
Ê 2 ˆ k1 k k - r r (a + x) = Ìa Á1 + ˜ ˝
n
=  Á ˜ a1 ◊  a2 a3 Ó Ë a ¯˛
k + k = 2 Ë k1 , k 2 ¯ r =0
1 2
Ê x n(n - 1) Ê x ˆ
2 ˆ
Ê 2 ˆ Á1 + n ◊ + ÁË ˜¯ ˜
=  ÁË k , k , k ˜¯ a1k1 ◊ a2k2 a3k 3 = an Á
a 2! a ˜
k1 + k2 + k3 = 2 1 2 3 Á n(n - 1)(n - 2) Ê x ˆ
3 ˜
Thus, Á + ÁË ˜¯ + ˜
Ë 3! a ¯
(a1 + a2 + a3 + … + am)n
5. The general term in the expansion of (1 + x)n
Ê n ˆ k1 k2 k3
= Â km
ÁË k , k , k , …, k ˜¯ a1 a2 a3 … am .
= tr +1 =
n(n - 1)(n - 2)…(n - r + 1)
¥ xr
k1 + k2 + k3 + + km = n 1 2 3 m
r!
k k k k
(i) The co-efficient of a1 1 a22 a3 3 … amm in the expan- 6. The general term in the expansion of
n! n(n - 1)(n - 2)…(n - r + 1)
sion of (a1 + a2 + a3 + … + am)n is . (1 – x)n = tr +1 = ¥ (-1) r x r
k1 !k2 !…km! r!
(ii) The greatest co-efficient of (a1 + a2 + a3 + … + am) 7. The general term in the expansion of
n! (1 + x)–n
n
is ,
(q !) m-r
¥ ((q + 1)!) r n(n - 1)(n - 2)…(n - r + 1)
= tr +1 = ¥ (-1) r x r .
where quotient = q, remainder = r, when n is r!
divided by m. 8. The general term in the expansion of
(iii) The number of terms in the expansion of n(n + 1)(n + 2)…(n + r - 1)
(1 – x)–n = tr +1 = ¥ xr
(a1 + a2 + a3 + … + am)n is n+m–1Cm–1. r!

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 Binomial Theorem 6.5

Important Expansions to Remember e + e -1 1 1 1

(v) =1+ + + +
(i) (1 + x) -1 = 1 - x + x 2 - x3 + + (-1) r x r + 2 2! 4! 6!
(ii) (1 + x) -2 = 1 - 2 x + 3x 2 - 4 x3 + + (-1) r (r + 1) x r + e - e -1 1 1 1
(vi) =1+ + + +
2 3! 5! 7!
(iii) (1 + x)–3 = 1 – 3x + 6x2 – 10x3 + …
1 1 1
(r + 1)(r + 2) r
+ (-1) r x +
(vii) e = Â n ! = Â (n - 1)! = Â (n - 2)!
2 n=0 n=0 n=0

(iv) (1 – x)–1 = 1 + x + x2 + x3 + … + xr + … 1 1
(v) (1 - x) -2 = 1 + 2 x + 3x 2 + 4 x3 + + (r + 1) x r +
= Â (n - 3)! = Â (n - k )!
n=0 n=0
(vi) (1 – x)–3 = 1 + 3x + 6x2 + 10x3 + … +
1 1 1 1
+
(r + 1)(r + 2) r
x +
(viii) Â n! 1
2! 3! 4!
to e 1
n =1
2
3. If n ΠN, 1 1 1 1
n +1 n+2
(ix) Â n! to e 2
(1 – x)–n = 1 + C1 ◊ x + C2 ◊ x + C3 ◊ x +
n 2 3 2! 3! 4!
n=2
n + r -1
+ Cr ◊ x r + 1 1 1 1 1
(x) Â (n + 1)! 1! 2! 3! 4!
to e 1
Thus, the co-efficient of xr in the expansion of (1 – x)–n n=0
is n+r–1Cr. 1 1 1 1
4. If n Œ Q, (xi)  (n + 2)! 2! 3! 4!
to e 2
n(n + 1) 2 n(n + 1)(n + 2) 3 n=0
(1 – x)–n = 1 + nx + x + x +
2! 3! 1 1 1 1 e + e -1
3.4 2 3.4.5 3 3.4.5.6 4
(xii) Â 2n! 2! 4! 6!
to
2
5. (1 – x)3 = 1 + 3x + x + x + x + n=0
1.2 1.2.3 1.2.3.4 1 1 1 1 e - e -1
-1 1 1.3 2 1.3.5 3 1.3.5.7 4 (xiii) Â (2n - 1)! 1! 3! 5!
to
2
6. (1 - x) 2 = 1 + x + x + x + x + n=0
2 2.4 2.4.6 2.4.6.8

7. EXPONENTIAL SERIES 8. LOGARITHMIC SERIES

Leonhard Euler, the great Swiss Mathematician introduced We know that, if ax = n ¤ logax = n
and named the number e in his calculus text in 1748 AD. Here, a is known as the base of the logarithms.
Definition There are two types of logarithms.
1 1 1 1 (i) Naperian or Natural Logarithms, where the base is e.
The sum of the infinite series 1 to
1! 2! 3! 4! (ii) Common Logarithms, where the base is 10.
denoted by the number e is
n Now, we shall obtain an expansion for loge (1 + x) as a series
Ê 1ˆ
1. e = lim ÁË1 + ˜ in powers of x which is valid only when |x| < 1.
n n¯ If |x| < 1, then
2. e lies between 2 and 3. x 2 x3 x 4
x x 2 x3 loge (1 + x) = x - + - +
x
3. e 1 to 2 3 4
1! 2! 3!
Some Important Expansion to Remember
4. Let a > 0, for all values of x,
2 3 4
x2 x3 (i) log e (1 + x) = x - x + x - x +
a = 1 + x(log e a ) + (log e a ) 2 + (log e a ) +
x
2 3 4
2! 3! 2 3 4
Some Important Expansion to Remember (ii) log e (1 - x) = - x - x - x - x +
2 3 4
x 2 x3 x 4
(i) e x 1 x to Ê ˆ
1 + xˆ x3 x5 x 7
2! 3! 4! (iii) log ÁÊ = 2Á x + + + +
Ë1 - x¯ ˜ Ë 3 5 7 ¯˜
(ii) e - x 1 x x2 x3 x4
to 1 1 1 1 1
2! 3! 4! (iv) log 2 = 1 - + - + - +
2 3 4 5 6
e x + e- x x2 x4 x6
(iii) 1 to Ê x 2 x 4 x6 ˆ
2 2! 4! 6! (v) log(1 - x 2 ) = - 2 Á + + + ˜¯
Ë 2 4 6
e x - e- x x3 x5 x7
(iv) x to
2 3! 5! 7!

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