4. (a) Write down the first three terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of (1 + px²), where p is a non-zero constant - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 6 - 2005 - Paper 2
Question 6
4. (a) Write down the first three terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of (1 + px²), where p is a non-zero constant.
Given that, in the expans... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:4. (a) Write down the first three terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of (1 + px²), where p is a non-zero constant - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 6 - 2005 - Paper 2
Step 1
(a) Write down the first three terms, in ascending powers of x
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Answer
To find the first three terms of the binomial expansion of (1+px2)12, we can use the binomial theorem:
(a+b)n=∑k=0n(kn)an−kbk
In our case, let a=1, b=px2, and n=12:
First term (k=0): (012)(1)12(px2)0=1
Second term (k=1): (112)(1)11(px2)1=12px2
Third term (k=2): (212)(1)10(px2)2=212×11p2x4=66p2x4
Thus, the first three terms are:
1+12px2+66p2x4
Step 2
(b) find the value of p and the value of q.
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Answer
From the given information:
The coefficient of x is −q, which corresponds to the coefficient of the x term in the expansion.
The coefficient of x2 is 11q.
To find these coefficients, note:
Coefficient of x: It comes from the term with k=1. Thus,
12p=−q
Coefficient of x2: It comes from the term with k=2. Thus,
66p2=11q
Now, substituting q from the first equation into the second:
Substitute q:
66p2=11(−12p)66p2=−132p
Rearranging gives:
66p2+132p=0p(66p+132)=0
Since p is non-zero, we divide:
66p+132=0⇒p=−2
Substitute p back into the equation for q:
q=−12p=−12(−2)=24