2.

The Binomial Theorem

(1992-CE-A MATH 2 #02) (5 marks)
In the expansion of (1 + 3x)2(1 + x)n , where n is a positive integer, the coefficient of x is 10 .
Find the value of n .
Find the coefficient of x2 .
(1994-CE-A MATH 2 #03) (5 marks)
(a) Expand (1 − 2x)3 and (1 + 1x)5 .
( 1)5 ,
(b) Find, in the expansion of (1 − 2x)3 1 + x
the constant term, and
the coefficient of x .
(1995-CE-A MATH 2 #04) (6 marks)
Given (x2 + 1x)5−(x2− 1x)5 = ax7 + bx + xc5 , find the values of a , b and c .
5 5
21
Hence evaluate (2 + ) −(2 − 2 1 ) .
(1997-CE-A MATH 2 #08) (7 marks)
8. Expand (1 + x)n(1 − 2x)4 is ascending powers of x up to the term x2 , where n is a positive
integer.
If the coefficient of x2 is 54 , find the coefficient of x .
(1998-CE-A MATH 2 #01) (4 marks)
( 2)6 .
Find the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of x − x
(1999-CE-A MATH 2 #07) (6 marks)
7. (a) Expand (1 + 2x)n in ascending powers of x up to the term x3 , where n is a positive
integer. ( 3)2(1 + 2x)n , the constant term is 210 . Find the value of n .
(b) In the expansion of x − x
(2000-CE-A MATH 2 #02) (5 marks)
2. Expand (1 + 2x)7(2 −x)2 in ascending powers of x up to the term x2 .

(2001-CE-A MATH #04) (4 marks)

Find the constant term in the expansion of (2x3 + 1x)8 .
(2002-CE-A MATH #01) (4 marks)
1. If n is a positive integer and the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of (1 + x)n + (1 + 2x)n is 75 ,
find the value(s) of n .
(2003-CE-A MATH #12) (6 marks)
12. Determine whether the expansion of (2x2 + 1x)9 consists of
(a) a constant term, (b) an x2 term.
In each part, find the term if it exists.
(2004-CE-A MATH #02) (4 marks)
2. (a) Expand (1 + 2x)6 in ascending powers of x up to the term x3 .
(b) Find the constant term in the expansion of (1 − 1x + x12)(1 + 2x)6 .
(2005-CE-A MATH #02) (4 marks)
2. (a) Expand (1 + y)5 .
(b) Using (a), or otherwise, expand (1 + x + 2x2)5 in ascending powers of x up to the term x2 .
(2008-CE-A MATH #02) (4 marks)
2. (a) Expand (2x + 1x)3 .
(b) Find the coefficient of x in the expansion of (3x2−x − 5)(2x + 1x)3 .
(2009-CE-A MATH #11) (6 marks)
( 1)20 , find
11. In the expansion of the binomial x2 + x
the coefficient of x16 ,
the constant term.

(2010-CE-A MATH #05) (5 marks)

5. The sum of the coefficients of x and x2 in the expansion of (1 + 4x)n is 180 , where n is a
positive integer. Find the value of n and the coefficient of x3 .
(PP-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #01) (4 marks)
Find the coefficient of x5 in the expansion of (2 −x)9 .

(2012-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #02) (5 marks)

It is given that (1+ax)n = 1 + 6x + 16x2 + terms involving higher powers of x ,
where n is a positive integer and a is a constant. Find the values of a and n .

(2013-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #02) (4 marks)

Suppose the coefficients of x and x2 in the expansion of (1 + ax)n are −20 and 180 respectively.
Find the values of a and n .

2014-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #01) (4 marks)

In the expansion of (1− 4x)2 (1 + x)n , the coefficient of x is 1 .
(a) Find the value of n .
(b) Find the coefficient of x2 .

(2016-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #01) (5 marks)

Expand (5 + x)4 . Hence, find the constant term in the expansion of .

(2017-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #02) (5 marks)

Let and , where a and b are constants.

It is given that λ2 : μ7 = 7 : 4 and λ1 + μ8 + 6 = 0 . Find a .

(2018-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #02) (5 marks)

Expand (x + 3)5 . Hence, find the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of .

(2020-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #01) (4 marks)

(a) Expand (1−x)4 .
(b) Find the constant k such that the coefficient of x2 in the expansion of (1 + kx)9 (1−x)4 is −3 .

(2021-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #03) (6 marks)

The coefficient of x2 in the expansion of (1− 4x)n is 240 , where n is a positive integer. Find
(a) n ,

(b) the coefficient of x4 in the expansion of .

2022-DSE-Math-EP(M2) #5 (6 marks)

Let n be an integer greater than 1. Define , where a is a constant. It is given that

μ2 = –10
(a) Explain why a is a negative number and n is an odd number.

(b) Let , where b is a constant. If λ0 = μ0 and λ1 = 2μ1 , find a , b and n .

2023-DSE-Math-EP(M2) #1 (5 marks)

Let a be a constant. If the coefficient of x in the expansion of is , find a

and the coefficient of x2 in the expansion.
ANSWERS (2003-CE-A MATH #12)
(1992-CE-A MATH 2 #02) 12. (a) 672
(a) n = 4 (b) 39 (b) There is no x2 term
(1994-CE-A MATH 2 #03) (2004-CE-A MATH #02)
(a) (1 − 2x)3 = 1 − 6x + 12x2− 8x3 2. (a) (1 + 2x)6
(1 + 1x)5 = 1 + 5x + 10x2 + 10x3 + x54 + x15 = 1 + 12x + 60x2 + 160x3 + ...
(b) (1) 11 (b) 49
(2) −26 (2005-CE-A MATH #02)
(1995-CE-A MATH 2 #04) 2. (a) (1 + y)5
a = 10 , b = 20 , c = 2 = 1 + 5y + 10y2 + 10y3 + 5y4 + y5
5 ( )
5 (b) (1 + x + 2x2)5
2 +1−(2 − 1 ) = 401 2 = 1 + 5x + 20x2 + ...
2 2 4 (2008-CE-A MATH #02)
(1997-CE-A MATH 2 #08) 2. (a) (2x + 1x)3 = 8x3 + 12x + 6x + x13
8. (1 + x)n(1 − 2x)4 (b) −42
n (2009-CE-A MATH #11)
= 1 + (n− 8)x + [− 8n + 24]x2 + ... 11. (a) 125 970
Coefficient of x = 12 (b) There is no constant term
(1998-CE-A MATH 2 #01) (2010-CE-A MATH #05)
60 5. n = 5 , the coefficient of x3 = 640
(1999-CE-A MATH 2 #07) (PP-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #01)
7. (a) (1 + 2x)n −2016
(2012-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #02)
= 1 + 2nx + 2n(n− 1)x2 + n(n− 1)(n− 2)x3 + ...
(b) n = 4 n=9 , a=
(2000-CE-A MATH 2 #02) (2013-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #02) 2. n = 10 , a =
2. 4 + 52x + 281x2 + ... −2
(2001-CE-A MATH #04) (2014-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #01)
4. 112 (a) n = 9
(2002-CE-A MATH #01) (b) −20
1. n = 6
(2016-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #01)
(5 + x)4 = 625 + 500x + 150x2 + 20x3 + x4
Constant term = − 735
(2017-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #02)

a = − 3 or
(2018-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #02)
2. (x + 3)5
= x + 15x4 + 90x3 + 270x2 + 405x + 243
5

Coefficient of x3 = − 299
(2020-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #01)
1. (a) 1− 4x + 6x2− 4x3+x4

(b)
(2021-DSE-MATH-EP(M2) #03)
3. (a) 6
(b) 106 240