1.

2-Binomial Past Papers [95 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 6] EXM.2.AHL.TZ0.1

(a) Write down and simplify the first three terms, in ascending powers of
1

x , in the Extended Binomial expansion of (1 − x) . 3

[3]

(b) By substituting x =
1
find a rational approximation to √9. 3
[3]
9

2. [Maximum mark: 6] 20N.2.SL.TZ0.S_5

9

Consider the expansion of (3x 2

−
k

x
) , where k > 0.

The coefficient of the term in x is 6048. Find the value of k.

6
[6]

3. [Maximum mark: 6] 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_4

9

Find the term independent of x in the expansion of 1

(
1
−
x
) . [6]
x3 3x2 2

4. [Maximum mark: 7] 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_7

At a gathering of 12 teachers, seven are male and five are female. A group of five
of these teachers go out for a meal together. Determine the possible number of
groups in each of the following situations:

(a) There are more males than females in the group. [4]

(b) Two of the teachers, Gary and Gerwyn, refuse to go out for a meal
together. [3]
5. [Maximum mark: 6] 19N.1.SL.TZ0.S_4
11
Consider ( .
11!
) =
a! 9!
a

(a) Find the value of a. [2]

(b) Hence or otherwise find the coefficient of the term in x in the

9

expansion of (x + 3) .
11
[4]

6. [Maximum mark: 6] 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_5

Consider the expansion of (2 + x) , where n ⩾
n
3 and n ∈ Z .

The coefficient of x is four times the coefficient of x . Find the value of n.

3 2
[6]

7. [Maximum mark: 8] 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_8

Eight boys and two girls sit on a bench. Determine the number of possible
arrangements, given that

(a) the girls do not sit together. [3]

(b) the girls do not sit on either end. [2]

(c) the girls do not sit on either end and do not sit together. [3]
8. [Maximum mark: 5] 18N.1.AHL.TZ0.H_2
A team of four is to be chosen from a group of four boys and four girls.

(a) Find the number of different possible teams that could be chosen. [3]

(b) Find the number of different possible teams that could be chosen,
given that the team must include at least one girl and at least one
boy. [2]

9. [Maximum mark: 6] 18M.2.AHL.TZ2.H_5

(a) 3n + 1
Express the binomial coefficient ( ) as a polynomial in n.
3n − 2 [3]

(b) 3n + 1
Hence find the least value of n for which ( ) > 10
6
.
3n − 2 [3]

10. [Maximum mark: 5] 17M.1.AHL.TZ1.H_4

Three girls and four boys are seated randomly on a straight bench. Find the
probability that the girls sit together and the boys sit together. [5]

11. [Maximum mark: 6] 17M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_3

8

The coefficient of x in the expansion of (

2 1

x
+ 5x) is equal to the

coefficient of x in the expansion of (a + 5x) . Find the value of a. [6]

4 7
, a ∈ R
12. [Maximum mark: 6] 17M.2.AHL.TZ2.H_8
In a trial examination session a candidate at a school has to take 18
examination papers including the physics paper, the chemistry paper and
the biology paper. No two of these three papers may be taken
consecutively. There is no restriction on the order in which the other
examination papers may be taken.

Find the number of different orders in which these 18 examination papers

may be taken. [6]

13. [Maximum mark: 6]

Consider the expansion of (1 + x) in ascending powers of x, where n ⩾ 3.
n

The coefficients of the second, third and fourth terms of the expansion are
consecutive terms of an arithmetic sequence.

(i) Show that n 3

− 9n
2
+ 14n = 0 .

(ii) Hence find the value of n. [6]

14. [Maximum mark: 6]

10

Consider the expansion of (x 2

+
2

x
) .

(a) Write down the number of terms of this expansion. [1]

(b) Find the coefficient of x . 8

[5]

15. [Maximum mark: 4]

Expand (3 − x) in ascending powers of x and simplify your answer.
4
[4]
16. [Maximum mark: 6]
From a group of five males and six females, four people are chosen.

(a) Determine how many possible groups can be chosen. [2]

(b) Determine how many groups can be formed consisting of two males
and two females. [2]

(c) Determine how many groups can be formed consisting of at least

one female. [2]

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2023