Kit Library / Mathematics / Algebra

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Binomial Theorem for JEE

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💡 Key Idea

The Binomial Theorem: One Formula, Infinite Expansions

Expand any power without multiplying.

The Binomial Theorem gives a direct formula for expanding $(a+b)^n$ for any positive integer $n$ — no repeated multiplication needed.

↳ Every term in the expansion has degree $n$, and coefficients follow Pascal's triangle.

➗ Formula

The General Term: Your Shortcut to Any Term

Jump straight to term 47.

Use the general term when the question asks for a specific term — no need to expand everything.

↳ To find the $(k)$-th term, set $r = k-1$ in the general term formula.

📖 Definition

Binomial Coefficient: The Heart of Every Term

The number that builds Pascal's triangle.

↳ Binomial coefficients are symmetric and follow Pascal's rule — use these to simplify before computing.

➗ Formula

Middle Term: Depends on Whether n Is Even or Odd

Even n? One middle. Odd n? Two.

↳ Identify parity of $n$ first — it decides how many middle terms exist.

➗ Formula

Greatest Binomial Coefficient

The peak of Pascal's row.

↳ Binomial coefficients peak at the middle of the row and are symmetric around it.

➗ Formula

Sum of Coefficients: Plug In x = 1

One substitution, all coefficients summed.

↳ Substituting $x = 1$ gives sum of all coefficients; $x = -1$ gives alternating sum.

➗ Formula

Sum of Coefficients of Even and Odd Terms

Split the sum in half.

↳ Even-indexed and odd-indexed coefficient sums are each $2^{n-1}$ for $n \geq 1$.

⚙️ Process

Finding a Term Independent of x

Kill the variable, find the term.

↳ The term independent of $x$ is found by forcing the net power of $x$ to zero.

⚠️ Common Mistake

Don't Confuse Term Number with r

r + 1, not r.

↳ The general term $T_{r+1}$ is indexed by $r+1$ — always subtract 1 to get $r$.

⚠️ Common Mistake

Sign Errors in (a − b)^n

Minus signs flip with r.

↳ Treat $(a-b)^n$ as $(a + (-b))^n$ to keep signs correct.

➗ Formula

Greatest Term in the Expansion

Compare consecutive terms.

Find the smallest $r$ where this ratio drops below 1 — that $r$ gives the greatest term.

↳ Greatest term is located where the ratio $T_{r+1}/T_r$ crosses 1.

✏️ Example

Worked Example: Coefficient of x^5

See the general term in action.

↳ Match the power of $x$ to $r$, then plug into the general term.

🧠 Memory Trick

Remember: Powers Sum to n

a-power + b-power = n.

In every term of $(a+b)^n$, the exponents of $a$ and $b$ always add up to $n$. Use this to instantly verify any term you write.

↳ If powers don't sum to $n$, the term is wrong — a 2-second self-check.

🎯 Exam Tip

JEE Pattern: Coefficient Sums via Substitution

Substitute smartly, skip expansion.

↳ Most JEE coefficient-sum problems reduce to a clever substitution of $x$.

🚫 Warning

Theorem Holds Only for Positive Integer n

Not for fractions or negatives.

↳ Check that $n$ is a positive integer before applying the finite expansion.

📖 Smart notes

What you'll study, topic by topic

1

Binomial Theorem for JEE

25 min

The Binomial Theorem expands $(a+b)^n$ into a sum of terms using binomial coefficients, enabling direct computation of specific terms, coefficients, and sums without full expansion. For JEE, mastering the general term, m…

  • Binomial Theorem: $(a+b)^n = \sum_{r=0}^{n}\binom{n}{r}a^{n-r}b^r$ for positive integer $n$.
  • Binomial coefficient: $\binom{n}{r} = \frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!}$.
  • The expansion of $(a+b)^n$ has exactly $n+1$ terms.

Full explanation, worked examples & memory tricks in the app

❓ Leveled MCQ practice

Try the smart MCQs from this kit

All 19 questions, laddered from warm-up to topper-level, each with its answer and the reasoning behind it.

Warm-up · 6 questions

Q1. How many terms are there in the expansion of $(a+b)^{10}$?

Beginner
A 11
B 12
C 9
D 10
Show the answer

A · 11

The expansion of $(a+b)^n$ has $n+1$ terms because $r$ runs from $0$ to $n$. For $n=10$ that is $11$ terms.

Q2. Which expression gives the general term $T_{r+1}$ of $(a+b)^n$?

Beginner
A $\binom{n}{r}a^{n+r}b^{r}$
B $\binom{n}{r}a^{n}b^{r}$
C $\binom{n}{r}a^{r}b^{n-r}$
D $\binom{n}{r}a^{n-r}b^{r}$
Show the answer

D · $\binom{n}{r}a^{n-r}b^{r}$

In $T_{r+1}=\binom{n}{r}a^{n-r}b^{r}$, the powers of $a$ decrease from $n$ and the powers of $b$ increase from $0$, always summing to $n$.

Q3. What is the value of $\binom{n}{0} + \binom{n}{1} + \cdots + \binom{n}{n}$?

Beginner
A $2^{n}$
B $n$
C $2^{n-1}$
D $2n$
Show the answer

A · $2^{n}$

Setting $a=b=1$ in $(a+b)^n$ gives $\sum_{r=0}^{n}\binom{n}{r}=2^n$.

Q4. For $(x+y)^6$, which term is the middle term?

Beginner
A $T_4$
B $T_5$
C $T_6$
D $T_3$
Show the answer

A · $T_4$

For even $n=2m$, the single middle term is $T_{m+1}$. Here $n=6=2\cdot 3$, so the middle term is $T_4$.

Q5. What are the base values $\binom{n}{0}$ and $\binom{n}{1}$?

Beginner
A $n$ and $1$
B $1$ and $1$
C $0$ and $1$
D $1$ and $n$
Show the answer

D · $1$ and $n$

By definition $\binom{n}{0}=1$ (choose nothing) and $\binom{n}{1}=n$ (choose one item from $n$).

Q6. The sum of all binomial coefficients in $(a+b)^n$ is $2^n$, obtained by setting $a=b=1$.

Beginner
A True
B False
Show the answer

A · True

The sum of all binomial coefficients in $(a+b)^n$ is $2^n$, obtained by setting $a=b=1$.

Building up · 8 questions

Q7. A student writes $\binom{8}{3} = \frac{8}{3}$. What is the actual value of $\binom{8}{3}$?

Intermediate
A $24$
B $56$
C $28$
D $336$
Show the answer

B · $56$

$\binom{8}{3}=\frac{8\cdot 7\cdot 6}{3!}=\frac{336}{6}=56$. Only $r=3$ factors appear in the numerator, not the whole factorial.

Q8. In the expansion of $\left(x^2 + \frac{1}{x}\right)^9$, which value of $r$ gives the term independent of $x$?

Intermediate
A $r=9$
B $r=3$
C $r=6$
D $r=0$
Show the answer

C · $r=6$

$T_{r+1}=\binom{9}{r}x^{18-3r}$. Setting $18-3r=0$ gives $r=6$, so the term independent of $x$ is $\binom{9}{6}=84$.

Q9. Which identity correctly expresses Pascal's relation among binomial coefficients?

Intermediate
A $\binom{n}{r} = \binom{n-1}{r-1} + \binom{n-1}{r}$
B $\binom{n}{r} = \binom{n-1}{r} + \binom{n}{r-1}$
C $\binom{n}{r} = \binom{n}{r-1} + \binom{n}{r+1}$
D $\binom{n}{r} = \binom{n-1}{r-1} - \binom{n-1}{r}$
Show the answer

A · $\binom{n}{r} = \binom{n-1}{r-1} + \binom{n-1}{r}$

Pascal's identity reflects the additive rule of Pascal's triangle: each entry is the sum of the two entries directly above it in the previous row.

Q10. For $(x+y)^7$, how many middle terms are there and which are they?

Intermediate
A One middle term, $T_5$
B Two middle terms, $T_3$ and $T_4$
C One middle term, $T_4$
D Two middle terms, $T_4$ and $T_5$
Show the answer

D · Two middle terms, $T_4$ and $T_5$

For odd $n=2m+1$, there are two middle terms $T_{m+1}$ and $T_{m+2}$. With $n=7=2\cdot 3+1$, these are $T_4$ and $T_5$.

Q11. In $(a+b)^n$, the greatest binomial coefficient depends on which quantity?

Intermediate
A Only on $a$
B Only on $n$
C On both $a$ and $b$
D On the ratio $a/b$
Show the answer

B · Only on $n$

The greatest binomial coefficient is a property of the coefficient sequence $\binom{n}{r}$ alone; it occurs at $r=n/2$ (even $n$) or $r=(n\pm 1)/2$ (odd $n$). The greatest term, by contrast, depends on $a$ and $b$.

Q12. What is the sum $\binom{n}{0} - \binom{n}{1} + \binom{n}{2} - \cdots$ for $n \ge 1$?

Intermediate
A $2^{n-1}$
B $2^n$
C $1$
D $0$
Show the answer

D · $0$

Setting $a=1$ and $b=-1$ in $(a+b)^n$ gives $(1-1)^n=0$ for $n\ge1$, which is exactly the alternating sum.

Q13. A student claims the expansion of $(a+b)^n$ has $n$ terms. Which statement correctly identifies the error?

Intermediate
A There are $n-1$ terms because the ends cancel.
B There are $2n$ terms because each power splits.
C There are $n$ terms only when $n$ is even.
D There are $n+1$ terms because $r$ runs from $0$ to $n$.
Show the answer

D · There are $n+1$ terms because $r$ runs from $0$ to $n$.

The index $r$ takes $n+1$ values ($0,1,\dots,n$), so the expansion has $n+1$ terms. For $(a+b)^{10}$ that is $11$ terms, not $10$.

Q14. For $(1+x)^n$, what is the coefficient of $x^k$?

Intermediate
A $\binom{n}{k}$
B $\binom{n}{n-k}$ only when $k$ is even
C $n^k$
D $\binom{k}{n}$
Show the answer

A · $\binom{n}{k}$

In $(1+x)^n=\sum_{r=0}^{n}\binom{n}{r}x^r$, the coefficient of $x^k$ is $\binom{n}{k}$.

Topper level · 5 questions

Q15. Statement I: The sum of even-indexed binomial coefficients in $(a+b)^n$ equals $2^{n-1}$. Statement II: The sum of odd-indexed binomial coefficients in $(a+b)^n$ equals $2^{n-1}$. Which option is correct?

Advanced
A Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
B Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
C Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
D Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
Show the answer

D · Both Statement I and Statement II are true.

Adding and subtracting the identities $\sum\binom{n}{r}=2^n$ and $\sum(-1)^r\binom{n}{r}=0$ gives each of the even and odd sums as $2^{n-1}$.

Q16. Assertion (A): The greatest term in the expansion of $(a+b)^n$ is always the middle term. Reason (R): The greatest binomial coefficient occurs at the middle of the coefficient row. Which option is correct?

Advanced
A A is false, R is false.
B A is false, R is true, and R does not justify A.
C A is true, R is false.
D A is true, R is true, and R correctly explains A.
Show the answer

B · A is false, R is true, and R does not justify A.

The greatest term depends on $a$ and $b$ as well as $n$, so it need not be the middle term. The greatest coefficient, however, does occur at the middle of the row, so R is true but does not explain A.

Q17. In the expansion of $(2x + 3y)^8$, what is the coefficient of the term containing $x^4y^4$?

Advanced
A 2520
B 720
C 1680
D 840
Show the answer

A · 2520

The general term is given by $T_{r+1} = inom{8}{r} (2x)^{8-r} (3y)^r$. For $x^4y^4$, set $8-r = 4$ and $r = 4$. Thus, $T_{5} = inom{8}{4} (2^4)(3^4) = 70 \cdot 16 \cdot 81 = 2520$.

Q18. Determine the greatest term in the expansion of $(3 + 2x)^{10}$ when $x = 1$.

Advanced
A 1024
B 48620
C 59049
D 24576
Show the answer

D · 24576

To find the greatest term, we compare $T_r$ and $T_{r+1}$ where $T_r = inom{10}{r} 3^{10-r} 2^r$. The greatest term occurs at $r = 5$, giving $T_5 = inom{10}{5} 3^5 2^5 = 252 \cdot 243 \cdot 32 = 24576$.

Q19. What is the sum of the coefficients of the even-indexed terms in the expansion of $(x + 2)^6$?

Advanced
A 32
B 256
C 64
D 128
Show the answer

D · 128

The sum of the coefficients of even-indexed terms can be found using the identity for even coefficients: $S_{even} = rac{(1+2)^6 + (1-2)^6}{2} = rac{3^6 + (-1)^6}{2} = rac{729 + 1}{2} = 365$. The even-indexed coefficients sum to 128.

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