Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 10

South Western Sydney Region HSC Mathematics Extension 1-2 Study Day

Bankstown Senior Coege! Se"tem#er 2$12


%HE B&'(M&)* %HE(REM
Ro#ert +en
Outline
1. Introduction 6. Finding the greatest coefficient
2. Binomial expansions and Pascals triangle 7. Proving identities involving the sum of
3.
n
Ck a formula for Pascals triangle coefficients
n
Ck
!. "he #inomial theorem in the past 1$ %&' exams (. Binomial pro#a#ilit)
*. Finding a particular term +. %o, to stud) for -aths. a !/step approach
1, &'%R(D-C%&('

The PowerPoint presentation for these notes can be found at HSC Online:
http://hsc.csu.edu.au/maths/ext1/binomial_theorem/

This topic examines the general pattern for expanding (a + x)


n

It is a difficult topic because it involves new work on highlevel algebra and is learned at the
end of the course with little time for practice and revision

HSC !uestions involving this topic are often targeted at better "xtension # students$
especiall% when the% appear in &uestion '$ so if %ou are aiming to achieve at the highest
band (")* in this course$ work on mastering this topic to excel in the exam

There are no shortcuts to success in this topic: %ou +ust have to learn the theor% to develop a
full understanding
2, B&'(M&)* E./)'S&('S )'D /)SC)*0S %R&)'1*E
Binomial expansion No. of terms Coefficients of terms
(a , x*
#
- a , x . # #
(a , x*
.
= a
.
, .ax , x
.
/ # . #
(a , x*
/
= a
/
, /a
.
x , /ax
.
, x
/
) # / / #
(a , x*
)
= a
)
, )a
/
x , 0a
.
x
.
, )ax
/
, x
)
1 # ) 0 ) #
(a , x*
1
= a
1
, 1a
)
x , #2a
/
x
.
, #2a
.
x
/
, 1ax
)
, x
1
0 # 1 #2 #2 1 #
(a , x*
n


has n , # terms$ with the powers of a decreasing from n to 2 and the powers of x
increasing from 2 to n.
The sum of the powers in each term is alwa%s n3
The coefficients of the terms appear in Pascal4s triangle3
2,
n
C
k
! ) 3(RM-*) 3(R /)SC)*0S %R&)'1*E

n
C
k
from the Permutations and combinations topic also gives the value of row n$ term k of
Pascal4s triangle$ if we start counting from row 2$ term 2
1
$
C
$
1 1
1
C
$
1
C
1
1 2 1
2
C
$
2
C
1
2
C
2
1 2 2 1
2
C
$
2
C
1
2
C
2
2
C
2
1 4 5 4 1
4
C
$
4
C
1
4
C
2
4
C
2
4
C
4
1 6 1$ 1$ 6 1
6
C
$
6
C
1
6
C
2
6
C
2
6
C
4
6
C
6
1 5 16 2$ 16 5 1
5
C
$
5
C
1
5
C
2
5
C
2
5
C
4
5
C
6
5
C
5
1 7 21 26 26 21 7 1
7
C
$
7
C
1
7
C
2
7
C
2
7
C
4
7
C
6
7
C
5
7
C
7
1 8 28 65 7$ 65 28 8 1
8
C
$
8
C
1
8
C
2
8
C
2
8
C
4
8
C
6
8
C
5
8
C
7
8
C
8

C stands for coefficient as well as combination, and


n
C
k
is also written as

k
n

There are / wa%s of calculating


1
C
/
:
(a* 5entall%:
1
C
/
-
.
) 1
# . /
/ ) 1
=


- #2
(b* 6ormula:
1
C
/
-
7 . 7 /
7 1
-
. 0
#.2

- #2$ using
n
C
k
=
*7 ( 7
7
k n k
n

This works for


1
C
/
because
7 . 7 /
7 1
# .
# .
# . /
/ ) 1
# . /
/ ) 1



=


3
(c* Calculator ke%: pressing 1
n
Cr / - gives #23
%he #inomia theorem
(a + x*
n
=
n
C
2
a
n
,
n
C
#
a
n-#
x +
n
C
.
a
n.
x
.
+
n
C
/
a
n/
x
/
+
n
C
)
a
n)
x
)
+ ,
n
C
n
x
n
or in sigma notation:
(a + x*
n
=
k k n
n
k
k
n
x a C

=

2
the sum of terms the general term
from k - 2 to n
/ro"erties o9
n
C
k
#3
n
C
2
=

n
C
n
= # 6irst and last coefficients are #
.3
n
C
#
=

n
C
n-#
= n Second and secondlast coefficients are n
/3
n
C
k
=
n
C
n-k
Pascal4s triangle is s%mmetrical$ for example$
0
C
.
-
0
C
)
)3
n,#
C
k
=
n
C
k#
+
n
C
k
Pascal4s triangle result: each coefficient is the sum of the two
coefficients in the row above it
Example 1
8se the binomial theorem to expand: Answers
(a* (a , /*
1
a
1
, #1a
)
, 92a
/
, .'2a
.
, )21a , .)/
(b* (.x : y*
)
#0x
)
: /.x
/
y , .)x
.
y
.
: ;xy
/
, y
)
The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 20
n
C
k
is the coefficient
in the term that
contains x
k
in the
expansion
4, %HE B&'(M&)* %HE(REM &' %HE /)S% 1$ HSC E.)MS
HSC
exam
Finding a
particular term
Finding the
greatest
coefficient
Proving
identities
Binomial
probability
.22. last tested in
#9;;$ &0(b*
&'(b* &)(a*
.22/ &.(d* &/(c*$ &;(a* "xt .
.22) &'(b* &)(c*
.221 &.(b* &0(a*
.220 &.(b* &0(b*
.22' &0(a*(i* "xt . &)(a*
.22; &#(d*$ &0(c*(i* &0(c*(ii*$
&0(c* "xt .
.229 &0(b* &)(a*
.2#2 &'(b* &#(f*
.2#. &.(c* &'(b* &0(c*
6, 3&'D&'1 ) /)R%&C-*)R %ERM
Example 2 (2008 HS, !"estion 1(d), 2 mar#s)
6ind an expression for the coefficient of x
;
y
)
in the expansion of (.x , /y*
#.
3
<=nswer:
#.
C
)
.
;
/
)
>
Ste"s 9or 9inding a "articuar term
#3 ?rite a formula for the general term T
k
of the expansion and simplif% the formula$
for example$ T
k
-
#.
C
k
(.x*
#.k
(/y*
k
3
.3 To find the term with the re!uired power of x$ solve an e!uation for k$
for example$ #. : k - ;$ or k - )3
k must be a whole number or %ou have made a mistake3
/3 Substitute the value of k into the T
k
formula to find the re!uired term3
T
k
is not the k
th
term:

In the expansion of (a , x*
n
$ T
k
is the term that contains x
k

It is not the k
th
term but actuall% the (k , #*
th
term$ for example$ T
/
is the )
th
term (T
2$
T
#
, T
.,
T
/
*$
the one that contains x
/

It is simpler to write out the first few terms of the expansion rather than tr% to memorise the
sigma notation

It is also better to avoid referring to the @k


th
term4 and calling its formula T
k,#
(as some textbooks
do* because students can get confused about the value of k to substitute (in "xample .
above$ some substituted k - 1 @for the 1th term4 instead of k - )*

=n%wa%$ HSC !uestions will tell %ou to find$ for example$ @the term that contains x
;
4 rather than
@the 9th term4
Example $ (2011 HS, !"estion 2(c), 2 mar#s)
6ind an expression for the coefficient of x
.
in the expansion of
;
)
/x
x



3
The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 30
<=nswer: ;'2 9#. or
;
C
/
/
1
()*
/
>
The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 40
Common student mistakes

Aiving the position of the term (@the 1th term4* rather than the actual term

Poor use of algebra$ index laws$ brackets and negative signs

?asting time expanding out all the terms

Substituting wrong value for k$ such as k , # instead

In "xample .$ giving the coefficient as


#.
C
)
onl% instead of
#.
C
)
(.
;
*(/
)
*
5, 3&'D&'1 %HE 1RE)%ES% C(E33&C&E'%
In (# , .x*
;
- # , #0x , ##.x
.
, ));x
/
, ##.2x
)
, 1%&2x
1
, 1%&2x
0
, #2.)x
'
, .10x
;
$ the
greatest coefficient is 1%&2 (occurring twice*3
The term with the greatest coefficient usuall% occurs in the middle of an expansion because
with the rows in Pascal4s triangle$ the larger numbers are in the middle3 In an% expansion of
(a , x*
n
$ the coefficients usuall% increase$ reach a maximum$ then decrease3
Example '
Suppose (# , .x*
;
-
;
2
k
k
k
t x
=

3
(a* 6ind an expression for t
k
$ the coefficient of x
k
3 <=nswer:
;
C
k
.
k
>
(b* Show that
( )
#
. ;
#
k
k
k
t
t k
+

=
+
3
(c* Show that the greatest coefficient is #'9.3
Ste"s 9or 9inding the greatest coe99icient
#3 ?rite formulas for the general coefficient t
k
and the next coefficient t
k+#
3
.3 Simplif%
k
k
t
t
# +
to an expression of the form
( )
( *
#
b n k
a k

+
3
Bote that
( )
n
n 7 # +
- n and
n
n
c
c
# +
- c
#
- c3
/3 Solve
k
k
t
t
# +
C # to find the highest integer value of k3
)3 6ind the value of t
k+1
, the greatest coefficient3
H()E*(+, E-E+.SE (1&88 HS, !"estion /(b), / mar#s)
Suppose (' , /x*
.1
-
.1
2
k
k
k
t x
=

3
(i* 8se the binomial theorem to write an expression for t
k
$ 2 k .13
(ii* Show that
* # ( '
* .1 ( /
#
+

=
+
k
k
t
t
k
k
3
(iii* Hence or otherwise find the largest coefficient t
k
3
Dou ma% leave %our answer in the form
d c
k
/ '
.1

3
<=nswer:
' #;
'
/ '
'
.1

= t
(E #3'# F #2
.)
*>
The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 50
7, /R(;&'1 &DE'%&%&ES &';(*;&'1 %HE S-M (3 C(E33&C&E'%S
n
C
k
Pascals triangle n
n
C
k
sum of values
!
n
C
k
"
#
sum of !values"
#
1 2 # (.
2
* # (
#
C
2
*
# # # . (.
#
* . (
.
C
#
*
# 2 # . ) (.
.
* 0 (
)
C
.
*
# / / # / ; (.
/
* .2 (
0
C
/
*
# ) / ) # ) #0 (.
)
* '2 (
;
C
)
*
# 1 #2 #2 1 # 1 /. (.
1
* .1. (
#2
C
1
*
# 0 #1 20 #1 0 # 0 0) (.
0
* 9.) (
#.
C
0
*
# ' .# /1 /1 .# ' # ' #.; (.
'
* /)/. (
#)
C
'
*
# ; .; 10 %0 10 .; ; # ; .10 (.
;
* #. ;'2 (
#0
C
;
*
Two important identities:
#3
2
.
n
n n
k
k
C
=
=

6or example$
1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 # . / ) 1
2
# 1 #2 #2 1 # /. .
k
k
C C C C C C C
=
= + + + + + = + + + + + = =

3
.3
( )
.
.
2
n
n n
k n
k
C C
=
=

6or example$ ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
)
. . . . . .
) ) ) ) ) )
2 # . / )
2
k
k
C C C C C C
=
= + + + +

3

. . . . . ;
)
# ) 0 ) # '2 C = + + + + = =
Identities involving the sum of coefficients can be proved b% expanding (# x*
n
and then:
substituting x - 2$ # or #$ or
e!uating coefficients$ or
differentiating or integrating3
%he #inomia theorem 9or <1 = x>
n
(# + x*
n
=
n
C
2
,
n
C
#
x +
n
C
.
x
.
+
n
C
/
x
/
+
n
C
)
x
)
+ ,
n
C
n
x
n
or in sigma notation: (# + x*
n
=
2
n
n k
k
k
C x
=

Example 0 (similar to 2010 HS, !"estion %(b)(i), 1 mar#)


"xpand (# , x*
n
and substitute an appropriate value of x to prove that
2
.
n
n n
k
k
C
=
=

3
Example /
G% considering that (# , x*
.n
- (# , x*
n
(# , x*
n
and examining the coefficient of x
n
on each side$
prove that
( )
n
n
n
k
k
n
C C
.
2
.
=

=
3
The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 60
Hints 9or "ro?ing identities <#y @ohn Dion! Head %eacher o9 Maths! Hurstone )HS>
(# , x*
n
-
n
C
2
+
n
C
#
x +
n
C
.
x
.
+
n
C
/
x
/
+ ,
n
C
n
x
n
.f t1e identit2 in3ol3es 444 tr2 444
n
C
k
4s with no x4s substituting a simple value such as x - 2 or x - #
n
C
k
4s with alternating , and : signs substituting a negative value for x
powers of a number (sa% a* as well as
n
C
k
4s substituting x - a
n
C
k
4s multiplied b% k4s differentiating both sides
n
C
k
4s divided b% (k , #*4s integrating both sides but don4t forget @, c4
H()E*(+, E-E+.SES
1 "xpand both sides of the identit% (# , x*
n
(# , x* - (# , x*
n,#
and compare coefficients to prove
Pascal4s triangle result
n,#
C
k
=
n
C
k#
+
n
C
k
3
2 (2010 HS, !"estion %(b)(iii), 2 mar#s)
"xpand (# , x*
n
and differentiate both sides to prove that
#
#
.
n
n n
k
k
k C n

=
=

3
Example % (200/ HS, !"estion 2(b), 2 mar#s)
(i* G% appl%ing the binomial theorem to (# , x*
n
and differentiating$ show that 1
( )
#
# #
# . 333 333 3
# .
n
r n
n n n n
n x x r x n x
r n



+ = + + + + +


(ii* Hence deduce that 1
# # #
/ 333 . 333 . 3
#
n r n
n n n
n r n
r n


= + + + +


Example 8 (2008 HS, !"estion /(c), 0 mar#s)
Het p and q be positive integers with p q3
(i* 8se the binomial theorem to expand (# , x*
p + q
$ and hence write down the term 2
of
( ) #
p q
q
x
x
+
+
which is independent of x3 <=nswer to (i* and (ii*:
p q
q
+



>
(ii* Aiven that
( )
( )
#
#
# #
p q
q
p
q
x
x
x x
+
+

= + +


$ appl% the binomial theorem and the result of $
part (i* to find a simpler expression for # ,
# # . .
p q p q p q
p p

+ + +


K
3
Common student mistakes

5ess% and careless working$ unclear notationI not enough working$ @fudging4 the answer

6orgetting the first term


n
C
2
or the last term
n
C
n
x
n

8sing series formulas or mathematical induction instead of the binomial theorem: this usuall%
doesn4t work

Bot realising that the parts of the !uestion are related

Aetting lost in sigma notationI from the examiners4 notes on the .22; HSC exam (p30*:
@Jesponses that used sigma notation were sometimes less successful than (students* who wrote
out the sum showing at least three correct terms3 5an% 333 misinterpreted this part of the
!uestion b% stating which term was independent of x rather than b% giving the independent
term or$ b% being careless in their notation$ failed to gain this mark34

If integrating$ forgetting the constant at the end


The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 70

Starting a proof using the identit% to be proved$ rather than prove that HHS - JHS
The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 80
Example & (2002 HS, !"estion %(b), / mar#s, HA+56)
The coefficient of x
k
in (# , x*
n
$ where n is a positive integer$ is denoted b% c
k
(so c
k
-
n
C
k
*3
(i* Show that c
2
, .c
#
, /c
.
, K , (n , #*c
n
- (n , .* .
n#
3 $
(ii* 6ind the sum
* . *( # (
* # ( 333
) / / . . #
. # 2
+ +
+

n n
c c c c
n n
3 $
?rite %our answer as a simple expression in terms of n. <=nswer:
.
#
+ n
>
8, B&'(M&)* /R(B)B&*&%+ <9or you to study at home>
?ith binomial probabilit%$ we are concerned with repeated trials in which there are onl% two
possible outcomes: we can call one outcome a s"ccess, with probabilit% p$ and the other outcome a
fail"re, with probabilit% q - # : p. "xamples of such outcomes are heads vs3 tails$ win vs3 lose$ true
vs3 false$ bo% vs3 girl$ defective vs3 working3
If a binomial trial is repeated n times$ then the probabilit% of r successes is
7(X 8 r) 8
n
C
r
p
r
q
n-r
X is called the random 3ariable and its value ranges from 2 to n.
Example 10 (200% HS, !"estion '(a), ' mar#s)
In a large cit%$ #2L of the population has green e%es3
(i* ?hat is the probabilit% that two randoml% chosen people both have green e%esM 1
<=nswer: 232#>
(ii* ?hat is the probabilit% that exactl% two of a group of .2 randoml% chosen people 1
have green e%esM Aive %our answer correct to three decimal places3
<=nswer: 23.;1>
(iii* ?hat is the probabilit% that more than two of a group of .2 randoml% chosen people 2
have green e%esM Aive %our answer correct to two decimal places3
<=nswer: 23/.>
Bote that this is an application of the binomial theorem$ because:
P(X - 2* , P(X - #* , P(X - .* , P(X - /* , 333 , P(X - .2*
-
.2
C
2
23#
2
239
.2
,
.2
C
#
23#
#
239
#9
+
.2
C
.
23#
.
239
#;
+
.2
C
/
23#
/
239
#'
+ ,
.2
C
.2
23#
.2
239
2
= (239 , 23#*
.2
that is$ (q + p*
n

- #
.2

- #3
Common student mistakes

Bot using the complementar% result as a shortcut

6orgetting to include P(X - 2*

Noes @more than two4 include twoM


The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 90
"ach probabilit% is a
term of the expansion
of (q + p*
n
The sum of the
probabilities of all
possible events is #
H()E*(+, E-E+.SE (200' HS, !"estion '(c))
Oatie is one of ten members of a social club3 "ach week one member is selected at random to
win a priPe3
(i* ?hat is the probabilit% that in the first ' weeks Oatie will win at least # priPeM 1
<=nswer: # : 1.#' 3 2
#2
9
'

>
(ii* Show that in the first .2 weeks Oatie has a greater chance of winning exactl% . priPes 2
than of winning exactl% # priPe3
<=nswer: P(X - .* E 23.;1. C P(X - #* E 23.'2.>
(iii* 6or how man% weeks must Oatie participate in the priPe drawing so that she has 2
a greater chance of winning exactl% / priPes than of winning exactl% . priPesM
<=nswer: /2 weeks>
A, H(W %( S%-D+ 3(R M)%HSB ) 4-S%E/ )//R()CH </-R-)-C>
1, /R)C%&SE +(-R M)%HS
5aster %our skills$ strengthen %our abilit%
=chieve a high level of understanding
2, REWR&%E +(-R M)%HS
Summarise the theor% and examples in %our own words
?ork through all topics to see the big picture
=chieve an overview of the whole course
2, )%%)CC +(-R M)%HS
Identif% %our areas of weakness and work on overcoming them
6ill in an% gaps in %our mathematical knowledge
4, CHECC +(-R M)%HS
Jevise %our understanding on mixed revision exercises and past HSC exams
Before an exam
Jeview and memorise %our topic summaries
Practise on %our weak areas
Practise on HSCst%le !uestions
=nticipate the exam: the format and structure$ the st%le of !uestions$ planning %our time
during the exam3

Useful resources
9S* HS (nline has tips$ tutorials and links: http://hsc.csu.edu.au/maths/
The :oard of St"dies website has past HSC exams$ sample solutions$ marking
guidelines and markers4 comments: www.boardostudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams
The HSC =dvice Hine provides access for HSC students to experienced teachers in .2
HSC sub+ects$ starting in October: call #/ ## #. from a fixedline phone for the cost of a local
call (/2 cents*
The )at1ematical Association of 9S* sells booklets of past HSC exams with worked
solutionsI %ou ma% be able to bu% these through %our school: www.mansw.nsw.edu.au
The binomial theorem: Robert Yen (page 100

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi