M A T H E M A T I C S

BINOMIAL THEOREM
GENERAL TERM OF A BINOMIAL EXPANSION

What you already know What you will learn

• Pascal’s triangle • General term of binomial expansion

ou a
• Factorial notation • Middle terms in the expansion of (a + b)n

e
C ily
• Binomial coefficient

rs
• Expansion of binomial theorem

o nd
de a
General Term
Vi Sh

Every expansion has a general term where each term of the expansion can be obtained from
the general term.
TC am

Binomial theorem
t
IA t

The binomial theorem has the expansion as follows:

A ro

If n ∈ ℕ, then,
(a + b)n = nC0 an b0 + nC1 an - 1 b1 + nC2 an-2 b2 + . . . + nCn a0 bn
A a

n
= ∑ n Cr an - r br
N

r=0

Here, r = 0, 1, 2, . . . , n

(n + 1) terms

We can observe that,

(a + b)n = nC0 an b0 + nC1 an - 1 b1 + nC2 an - 2 b2 + . . . + nCn a0 bn

T1 T2 T3 Tn + 1

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

It is given as follows:

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02

T r + 1 = nCr an - r br
So, T2 = T1 + 1 = nC1 an - 1 b1
T3 = T2 + 1 = nC2 an - 2 b2, and so on.

Solve

4
 2 3
Expand  x +  .
 x

ou a
e
C ily
rs
Solution

o nd
Step 1
We know that,
de a
(a + b)n = nC0anb0 + nC1an - 1b1 + nC2an - 2b2 + . . . + nCna0bn
Here, a = x2, b = 3x, n = 4
Vi Sh

Step 2
TC am

⇒ x2 + 3( ) 2 4-0 3
( ) 2 4-1 3
( )
2 4-2 3
( )
2 4-3 3 2 4-4 3
( ) ( )
4 0 1 2 3 4
x = C0 (x ) x + C1 (x ) x + C2 (x ) x + C3 (x ) x + C4(x )
4 4 4 4 4
x
{ n!
∵ nCr = r!(n - r)! }
t

∴ 4C0 = 1 = 4C4 ; 4C1 = 4 = 4C3 ; 4C2 = 6

IA t

(
⇒ x2 + 3 ) 6 3
( )4 3
( )
2 3 34
( ) ( )
4 2 3
A ro

x = (1)(x )(1) + (4)(x ) x + (6)(x ) x + (4)(x ) x + (1)(1) x

8

(x +3 ) 108 81
4
x = x + 12x + 54x + x + x4 is the required expansion.
2 8 5 2
A aN

Quick Query 1

Find the number of terms in the expansion of (1 + 3x + 3x2 + x3)40.

Concept Check 1
JEE MAIN 2019

If the third term in the binomial expansion of (1 + xlog2x)5 is 2560, then find a possible value of x.
1 1
(a) 4√2 (b) 4 (c) 8 (d) 2√2

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03

Solve

1 1
Find the total number of irrational terms in the binomial expansion of (7 5 - 310)60.
(a) 49 (b) 48 (c) 54 (d) 53

Solution

Step 1
We have been given the expansion -
1 1
(7 5 - 310)60

ou a
We know that,

e
C ily
The (r + 1)th term for the expansion (a + b)n is given by

rs
Tr + 1 = nCr an - rbr
1 1

o nd
Here, a = 7 5, b = -310, n = 60
de a
Step 2
1 1
Vi Sh
⇒ Tr + 1 = 60Cr (7 5)60 - r(-310)r
r r
⇒ Tr + 1 = (-1)r 60Cr ((7)12 - 5)(310)
r r
The above term will be rational if 5 and 10 are integers. For this, r has to be a multiple of 5 as
TC am

well as 10.
t

Step 3
IA t

The possible values of r (0 ≤ r ≤ 60) are 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 (7 values)
A ro

⇒ Number of rational terms in the expansion = 7

Since, total number of terms in the expansion = 60 + 1 = 61
A a

∴ Number of irrational terms in the expansion = 61 - 7 = 54

N

Option (c) is the correct answer.

Middle Term(s) in the Expansion of (a+b)n

The general expansion of (a+b)n is given by,

(a + b)n = nC0anb0 + nC1an - 1 b1 + nC2an - 2 b2 + . . . + nCna0bn
Let n = 4, i.e., n is even.
Then, (a + b)4 = 4C0a4b0 + 4C1a3b1 + 4C2a2b2 + 4C3a1b3 + 4C4a0b4

Number of terms = 5(Odd)

Here, T3 = 4C2a2b2 is the middle term.
Let n = 5, i.e., n is odd.

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04

Then, (a + b)5 = 5C0a5b0 + 5C1a4b1 + 5C2a3b2 + 5C3a2b3 + 5C4a1b4 + 5C5a0b5

Number of terms = 6 (Even)

Here, T3 = 5C2a3b2, T4 = 5C3a2b3 are the middle terms.

CASE 1
• If n is even, the number of terms in the expansion is odd.
n + 1 th term.
• There will be only one middle term, that is, 2 ( )
CASE 2

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• If n is odd, the number of terms in the expansion is even.

e
C ily
(
• There will be two middle terms, they are n 2+ 1 and n 2
th
)
+ 3 th terms.
( )

rs
o nd
Find the middle term in the expansion of (a + b)10.
de a
Vi Sh
Solution

Number of terms in the expansion = 10 + 1 = 11

∴ There will be only one middle term, that is, 10 ( )
TC am

th
+ 1 term ⇒ 6th term
2
Thus, T6 = T5 + 1 = 10C5a5b5 is the required middle term.
t
IA t
A ro

Quick Query 2
A a

Find the middle term in the expansion of (a + b)11.

N

Maximum value of nCr in the expansion of (a + b)n

We have the Pascal’s triangle as follows:

1

1 1

1 2 1 n=2

1 3 3 1 n=3

1 4 6 4 1 n=4

1 5 10 10 5 1 n=5

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05

Here, the encircled terms are the coefficients of the middle terms in the respective indices.
The variation in the values of nCr is shown in the following graph:

Binomial coefficients

5
C2 5
C3

5
C1 C2
4

C4
5

ou a
4
C1 4
C3

e
C2
3

C ily
3
C1

rs
2
C0 2
C1 C2
2 3
C3 4
C4 C5
5

o nd n=2 n=3 n=4 n=5

de a
From the graph, we can observe that, The value of nCr is maximum when
Vi Sh

•r= 2n , if n is even, i.e., nC n is the maximum value.

2
n - 1 n + 1
• r = 2 or 2 , if n is odd, i.e., nC n2- 1 = nCn 2+ 1 are the maximum values.
TC am

Solve
t
IA t
A ro

Find the maximum value of the following:

(a) 10Cr (b) 9Cr
A aN

Solution

Step 1
Here,
n = 10, n is even.
n = 10 = 5
∴ 10Cr is maximum when r = 2 2
10!
Thus, maximum value = 10C5 = 5!5! = 252

Step 2
Here, n = 9, n is odd.
∴ 9Cr is maximum when r = n2- 1 or n + 1 ⇒ r = 4 or 5
2
9!
Thus, maximum value = 9C4 = 9C5 = 4!5! = 126

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06

Concept Check 2
JEE MAIN 2019
Find the sum of the real values of x for which the middle term in the binomial expansion of
( )
x3 + 3 8 equals 5670.
3 x
(a) 4 (b) 0 (c) 6 (d) 9

Find the coefficient of x6y3 in the expansion of (x + 2y)9.

Solution

ou a
Step 1

e
C ily
We have, (x + 2y)9

rs
We know that, the general (r + 1)th term for the expansion (a + b)n is given by

o nd
Tr + 1 = nCr an - rbr
Here, a = x, b = 2y, n = 9
de a
Step 2
Vi Sh

⇒ Tr + 1 = 9Cr ∙ (x)9 - r ∙ (2y)r

⇒ Tr + 1 = 9Cr ∙ 2r ∙ (x)9 - r ∙ yr
Here, x6y3 occurs in the above term, if, r = 3
TC am

⇒ T3 + 1 = 9C3 ∙ 23 ∙ (x)9 - 3 ∙ y3
⇒ T4 = 9C3 ∙ 23 ∙ x6 ∙ y3
t

Step 3
IA t
A ro

As, coefficient in (Tr + 1) = 9Cr2r

∴ Coefficient in (T3 + 1) = 9C323
A a

9! ∙ 8 = 9 ∙ 8 ∙ 7 ∙ 8 = 672
= 6!3! 3∙2∙1
N

Thus, the coefficient of x6y3 in the expansion of (x + 2y)9 is 672.

Independent term (Constant term)

The term free from variable(s) is known as the independent term. The exponents of the variables
involved in the expansion amounts to zero in this term.

Solve

Find the term independent of x in the expansion of 3x - 1 . ( )

2 6

2 3x

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07

Solution

Step 1
We have, 3x - 1( )
2 6

2 3x
We know that, the general (r + 1)th term for the expansion (a + b)n is given by
Tr + 1 = nCr an - rbr . . .(i)
3x 2
-1
Here, a = 2 , b = 3x, n = 6

Step 2
( ) ( )

ou a
⇒ Tr + 1 = 6Cr 3x
2 6-r
-1 r
2 3x

e
C ily
( ) ( )
⇒ Tr + 1 = (-1)r ∙ 6Cr 3
2
6-r
∙ 1 x12 - 3r
3
r
. . .(ii)

rs
Now, independent of x ⇒ exponent of x = 0

o nd
⇒ 12 - 3r = 0 ⇒ r = 4
Thus, T4 + 1 = T5 = 5th term is independent of x.
de a
Vi Sh

Step 3
Putting r = 4 in equation (ii), we get,

⇒ T5 = (-1)4 ∙ 6C4 3 ( ) ( )
6-4
∙ 1 x12 - 3(4)
4
TC am

2 3
⇒ T5 = C4 ∙
6 3
2( ) ( )
2
∙ 1
3
4 6! 3-2 ∙ 2-2 ∙ (1)
x = 4!2!
0

⇒ T5 = 62 ∙∙ 51 ∙ 9 1∙ 4 = 12
5
t
IA t

5 , i.e., 5th term of the expansion.

Hence, the term independent of x is 12
A ro
A aN

Summary Sheet

Key Definitions

The binomial theorem has the expansion as follows:

If n ∈ ℕ, then,
(a + b)n = nC0anb0 + nC1an - 1b1 + nC2an - 2b2 +. . . + nCna0bn
n
= ∑ n Cr an - rbr
r=0

Key Formulae

The (r + 1)th term in the expansion of (a + b)n is known as the general term and is given by
Tr + 1 = nCran - rbr

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08

Key Takeaways

For the expansion (a + b)n,

• If n is even, the number of terms in the expansion is odd. There will only be one middle term,
which is 2 ( )
n + 1 th term.
• If n is odd, the number of terms in the expansion is even. There will be two middle terms, which
( ) (
are n + 1 and n + 3 terms.
2
th

2 )
th

Key Results

ou a
For the expansion (a + b)n,

e
C ily
• If n is even, then, nC n2 is the maximum value.

rs
• If n is odd, then, nC n2- 1 = nCn 2+ 1 are the maximum values.

o nd
de a
Mind map
Vi Sh

Binomial theorem
TC am
t
IA t

Middle term in the Maximum value of

A ro

General term
expansion of (a + b)n n
Cr in the expansion
of (a + b)n
A aN

Independent
Coefficient
term
problems
problems

n is even n is odd

n+1
Middle term = 2 ( )th Middle term = ( n 2+ 1 ) term th

n+3
term and ( 2 ) term
th

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09

Self-Assessment

1. Find the ratio of the 5th term from the beginning to the 5th from the end in the binomial

expansion of 2 3 + ( 1
1
2(3)
1
3
)
10
. JEE MAIN 2019

1 1 1 1
(a) 1 : 2(6) 3 (b) 4(36) 3 : 1 (c) 1 : 4(16) 3 (d) 2(36) 3 : 1

1 ∙ 3 ∙ 5 ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ (2n - 1) n n
2. If the middle term in the expansion of (1 + x)2n is k x ; x ∈ ℕ,
n!
then find the value of ‘k’.

ou a
e
C ily
Answers

rs
o nd
Quick Query 1

Step 1
de a
We know that, the number of terms in the expansion of (a + b)n = n + 1
Vi Sh

Also, the expansion of (1 + x)3 is given as follows:

(1 + x)3 = 3C0 (1)3 - 0(x)0 + 3C1(1)3 - 1(x)1 + 3C2(1)3 - 2(x)2 + 3C3(1)3 - 3(x)3
TC am

⇒ (1 + x)3 = 13 + 3 ∙ 12 ∙ x + 3 ∙ 1 ∙ x2 + x3

Step 2
t

Thus, the given expansion can be rewritten as

IA t
A ro

(1 + 3x + 3x2 + x3)40 = [(1 + x)3]40 = (1 + x)120

∴ Number of terms in the expansion of (1 + x)120 = 120 + 1 = 121
A aN

Quick Query 2

Number of terms in the expansion = 11 + 1 = 12

( )
∴ There will be two middle terms, they are 11 + 1 th and 11 + 3 th terms.
2 2 ( )
⇒ 6th and 7th terms
Thus, T6 = T5 + 1 = 11C5a6b5
And T7 = T6 + 1 = 11C6a5b6 are the required middle terms.

Concept Check 1

Step 1
We have been given the expansion (1 + xlog2x)5 with T3 = 2560
Now, T3 = T2 + 1 = 2560 {∵Tr + 1 = nCr an - rbr}
Here, we have, a = 1, b = xlog2x, n = 5

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10

Step 2
⇒ T3 = T2 + 1 = 5C2 (1)5 - 2(xlog2x)2
5! (1)(xlog2x)2 = 2560
⇒ T3 = 2!3! {∵ n
Cr = r!(nn!- r)! }
⇒ 10(xlog2x)2 = 2560
⇒ xlog2x × xlog2x = xlog2x + log2x = 256
⇒ x2log2x = 256

Step 3
Taking log2 on both the sides, we get,
⇒ log2x2log2x = log2 256 {∵ logqpm = m × logqp}

ou a
⇒ 2log2x × log2x = log2 256 {256 = 28}

e
C ily
⇒ 2(log2x)2 = log228

rs
⇒ 2(log2x)2 = 8log22

o nd
⇒ 2(log2x)2 = 8(1) {∵ logaa = 1}
⇒ (log2x)2 = 4
de a
⇒ log2x = ±2
Vi Sh
⇒ log2x = 2 and log2x = -2
⇒ x = 22 = 4 and x = 2-2 = 41
Option (b) is the correct answer.
TC am

Concept Check 2
t

Step 1
IA t

(
We have x + 3 )
3
A ro

3 x
Here, n = 8 (even)
( ) ( )
A a

n th 8 th
⇒ One middle term as 2 + 1 term = 2 + 1 term = 5th term
N

Also, T5 = 5670 (Given) {∵Tr + 1 = nCr an - rbr}

Step 2

⇒ T5 = T4 + 1 = 8C4 x ( )( )
3 4 = 5670
3 4

3 x
⇒ 4!4! ( )( )
8! x12 81 = 5670
81 x4 {∵ C = r!(nn!- r)!}
n
r

⇒48 × 7 × 6 × 5 x8 = 5670
×3×2×1
⇒ 70x8 = 5670 ⇒ x8 = 81 = 34
4 1
⇒ x = ±(3) 8 = ±(3) 2
⇒ x = √3, -√3
Hence, the sum of real values of x = √3 + (-√3) = 0
Option (b) is the correct answer.

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11

Self-Assessment 1

Step 1
We have
10
 1 
 23 + 1 
 1 

 2 ( 3 ) 3 

1 1
It is similar to the expansion of (a + b)n, with a = 2 3 , n = 10, b = 1
2( 3) 3

ou a
Step 2

e
C ily
Now, we know that,

rs
kth term from the end = (n - k + 2)th term from the beginning

o nd
According to the question, here, n = 10, k = 5
⇒ 5th term from the end = (10 - 5 + 2)th term from the beginning
de a
= 7th term
Vi Sh

Step 3
5th term from the beginning 5th term from the beginning T5
∴ = th =
TC am

5th term from the end 7 term from the beginning T7

4

10-4 
10
   1
1

C4  2 
3
 1 
t

T5 T4+1    2( 3) 3
 
IA t

⇒ = = {∵Tr + 1 = nCr an - rbr}

A ro

6
T7 T6+1 10-6  
10
 31   1 
C6  2 
 1 
   2( 3) 3
A a

 
N

4
6 
10
 31   1 
C4  2 
 1 
T5    2( 3) 3
⇒ =  
6 {∵ nCr = nCn - r}
T7 4 
10
 31   1 
C6  2 
 1 
   2( 3) 3
 
4
 6 
   11
 1
2   3
1  22 ·
T5    2( 3) 3 4

⇒ =   = 24 ·3 3
6 4
T7 4  1
 31   1  2 3
· 6 2
2   2 ·3
1 
   2( 3) 3
 

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12

2 2
T5 22 · 22 32
⇒ = 4
· 4
= 22
· 2 3
· 3 3
T7
23 33
1
T 2 2
⇒ 5 = 22 ·( 2× 3 ) 3 = 22 ·( 6 ) 3 = 22 · 62
T7
( ) 3

T5 1 1
⇒ = 4 ( 36 ) 3 = 4 ( 36 ) 3 : 1
T7
Option (b) is the correct answer.

Self-Assessment 2

ou a
Step 1

e
C ily
We have been given the expansion (1 + x)2n

rs
th
 2n 

o nd
As, 2n is even, there is one middle term, i.e.,  + 1  term = T2n = Tn+1
 2  2
+1
de a
Step 2
Vi Sh
⇒ Tn + 1 = 2nCn 1n(x)n

⇒ Tn+1 =
( 2n) ! · xn
n!n!
TC am

1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 ···· ( 2n - 1) · ( 2n )
⇒ Tn+1 = · xn
n! · n!
1 · 3 · 5 ···· ( 2n - 1)  2 · 4 · 6 ···· ( 2n )  n
t

⇒ Tn+1 =  ·x
IA t

n! · n!
A ro

1 · 3 · 5 ···· ( 2n - 1)  · 2n · 1 · 2 · 3 ···· n n

⇒ Tn+1 = ·x
A a

n! · n!
1 · 3 · 5 ····( 2n - 1)  · 2n · n! n
N

⇒ Tn+1 = ·x
n! · n! {∵(1 ∙ 2 ∙ 3 ∙ ∙ ∙ (n - 1) ∙ n) = n!}
1 · 3 · 5 ···· ( 2n - 1)  n n
⇒ Tn+1 =  ·2 ·x . . .(1)
n!

Step 3
1 · 3 · 5 ···· ( 2n - 1) n n
Given, middle term of expansion, Tn+1 = ·k · x . . .(2)
n!
Comparing equations (1) and (2), we get,
1 · 3 · 5 ···· ( 2n - 1) 1 · 3 ·5 ···· ( 2n - 1)
⇒ · kn · x n = · 2n · x n
n! n!
⇒ kn = 2n ⇒k=2
Thus, the value of k is 2.

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