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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

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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(1 + px^2)^{12}, we can use the binomial theorem:

(a+b)n=k=0n(nk)ankbk(a + b)^n = \sum_{k=0}^{n} \binom{n}{k} a^{n-k} b^k

In our case, let a=1a = 1, b=px2b = px^2, and n=12n = 12:

  1. First term (k=0): (120)(1)12(px2)0=1\binom{12}{0} (1)^{12} (px^2)^0 = 1
  2. Second term (k=1): (121)(1)11(px2)1=12px2\binom{12}{1} (1)^{11} (px^2)^1 = 12px^2
  3. Third term (k=2): (122)(1)10(px2)2=12×112p2x4=66p2x4\binom{12}{2} (1)^{10} (px^2)^2 = \frac{12 \times 11}{2} p^2 x^4 = 66p^2 x^4

Thus, the first three terms are:

1+12px2+66p2x41 + 12px^2 + 66p^2 x^4

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 xx is q-q, which corresponds to the coefficient of the xx term in the expansion.
  • The coefficient of x2x^2 is 11q11q.

To find these coefficients, note:

  • Coefficient of xx: It comes from the term with k=1k=1. Thus, 12p=q12p = -q

  • Coefficient of x2x^2: It comes from the term with k=2k=2. Thus, 66p2=11q66p^2 = 11q

Now, substituting qq from the first equation into the second:

  1. Substitute qq: 66p2=11(12p)66p^2 = 11(-12p) 66p2=132p66p^2 = -132p

  2. Rearranging gives: 66p2+132p=066p^2 + 132p = 0 p(66p+132)=0p(66p + 132) = 0

Since pp is non-zero, we divide: 66p+132=0p=266p + 132 = 0 \Rightarrow p = -2

  1. Substitute pp back into the equation for qq: q=12p=12(2)=24q = -12p = -12(-2) = 24

Thus, the values are:

  • p=2p = -2
  • q=24q = 24

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