GCE A Level Maths 9709

SMIYL
March 2023

3.1 Algebra
In this topic we will learn how to:
• use the expansion of (1 + x)n , where n is a rational number and |x| < 1
Binomial expansion when n is rational or negative

To perform binomial expansion when n is rational or negative and

|x| < 1 we use the equation below,
n(n − 1) 2 n(n − 1)(n − 2) 3
(1 + x)n = 1 + nx + x + x + ...,
2! 3!

Note: It is important that the term not containing x on the left hand
side is 1.

Let’s walk through some past paper questions to understand how this
works.
1. (a) Expand (2 − 3x)−2 in ascending powers of x, up to and including the
term in x2 , simplifying the coefficients. (9709/31/M/J/20 number 2)

For us to be able to expand, our expression should be in the

form (1 + x)n ,
(2 − 3x)−2

To achieve that, we will factor out a 2 inside the bracket,

  −2
3
2 1− x
2

Remove the square brackets,

 −2
−2 3
2 1− x
2

1
 Simplify,
 −2
1 3
1− x
4 2

Substitute into the formula for binomial expansion,

n(n − 1) 2 n(n − 1)(n − 2) 3

(1 + x)n = 1 + nx + x + x + ...,
2! 3!

Substitute x with − 32 and n with −2,

  −2   2 !
1 3 1 3 (−2)((−2) − 1) 3
1+ − x = 1 + (−2) − x + − x
4 2 4 2 2! 2

Simplify,
 −2   
1 3 1 9 2
1− x = 1 + 3x + 3 x
4 2 4 4

 −2  
1 3 1 27 2
1− x = 1 + 3x + x
4 2 4 4

Remove the bracket on the right hand side,

 −2
1 3 1 3 27
1− x = + x + x2
4 2 4 4 16

Therefore, the final answer is,

 −2
1 3 1 3 27
1− x = + x + x2
4 2 4 4 16

(b) State the values of x for which the expansion is valid.

To answer this question we have to use the conditions for

the binomial expansion we used above,

|x| < 1

This can be written as,

−1 < x < 1

2
In the question above we substituted x with − 23 x

−1 < x < 1

Let’s substitute x with − 32 x in the inequality above,

3
−1 < − x < 1
2

Multiply through by − 23 to make x the subject of the in-

equality,
2 2
− <x<
3 3

Note: For an inequality, if you multiply through by a nega-

tive number the direction in which the inequality sign faces,
changes.

That can be written as,

2
|x| <
3

Therefore, our final answer is,

2
|x| <
3

Note: If n where a rational number, you would follow the

exact same procedure outlined above.