FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

Name: _______________________________________________

FINAL - Y13 Binomial Series

A level Mathematics

Date: 15th March 2024

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

Questions
Q1.

(i) (a) Find, in ascending powers of x, the 2nd, 3rd and 5th terms of the binomial expansion of

(3 + 2x)6
(3)
For a particular value of x, these three terms form consecutive terms in a geometric series.
(b) Find this value of x.
(3)
(ii) In a different geometric series,

(a) Show that

5 cos2θ − 16 cos θ + 3 = 0
(3)
(b) Hence find the exact value of the 2nd term in the series.
(3)

(Total for question = 12 marks)

(Q10 WMA12/01, Oct 2023)

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Q2.

(a) Find the first 4 terms of the binomial expansion, in ascending powers of x, of

giving each term in simplest form.

(5)
Given that

(b) write down the value of n.

(1)
(c) Hence, or otherwise, find the first 3 terms of the binomial expansion, in ascending powers of x, of

giving each term in simplest form.

(3)

(Total for question = 9 marks)

(Q01 WMA14/01, June 2023)

Q3.

where k is a non-zero constant

(a) Find the first 4 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of f(x).
Give each term in simplest form.
(4)
Given that, in the binomial expansion of f(x), the coefficients of x, x2 and x3 are the first 3 terms of an
arithmetic progression,

(b) find, using algebra, the possible values of k.

(Solutions relying entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable.)

(3)

(Total for question = 7 marks)

(Q03 WMA12/01, Jan 2023)

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

Q4.

(a) Find the first 4 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

where k is a non-zero constant. Give each term in simplest form.

(4)

In the expansion of f(x), the constant term is 3 times the coefficient of x.

(b) Find the value of k.

(3)

(Total for question = 7 marks)

(Q03 WMA12/01, Jan 2022)

Q5.

The first three terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of (1 + kx)16 are

1, −4x and px2

where k and p are constants.

(a) Find, in simplest form,

(i) the value of k
(ii) the value of p
(3)

Using the value of k found in part (a),

(b) find the term in x2 in the expansion of g(x).

(3)

(Total for question = 6 marks)

(Q01 WMA12/01, Oct 2021)

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

Q6.

Given that k is a constant and the binomial expansion of

in ascending powers of x up to the term in x3 is

1+ x + Ax2 + Bx3

(a) (i) find the value of k,

(ii) find the value of the constant A and the constant B.
(5)

(b) Use the expansion to find an approximate value to

Show your working and give your answer to 6 decimal places.
(2)

(Total for question = 7 marks)

(Q01 WMA14/01, June 2021)

Q7.

(a) Find the first 4 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

giving each coefficient in its simplest form.

(5)

By substituting into the answer for (a),

(b) find an approximation for

Give your answer in the form where a and b are integers to be found.
(2)

(Total for question = 7 marks)

(Q01 WMA14/01, Jan 2021)

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

Q8.

(a) Find the first three terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

(2 + px)6
where p is a constant. Give each term in simplest form.
(4)
Given that in the expansion of

the coefficient of x2 is

(b) find the possible values of p.

(4)
(Total for question = 8 marks)
(Q04 WMA12/01, Jan 2021)

Q9.
(a) Use the binomial expansion to expand

in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x2 giving each coefficient as a fully simplified
fraction.
(4)

Given that the series expansion of f(x), in ascending powers of x, is

(b) find the value of k,

(2)
(c) find the value of m.
(2)
(Total for question = 6 marks)

(Q02 WMA14/01, Oct 2020)

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

Q10.

(a) Find the first 4 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

giving each term in its simplest form.

(4)
(b) Hence find the constant term in the series expansion of

(3)

(Total for question = 7 marks)

(Q01 WMA12/01, Oct 2020)

Q11.

One of the terms in the binomial expansion of (3 + αx)6, where α is a constant, is 540x4

(a) Find the possible values of α.

(4)
(b) Hence find the term independent of x in the expansion of

(3)

(Total for question = 7 marks)

(Q02 WMA12/01, Jan 2020)

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

Q12.

(a) Find the first 4 terms, in ascending powers of x, in the binomial expansion of

giving each coefficient in its simplest form.

(3)
(b) Find the term independent of x in the expansion of

(3)

(Total for question = 6 marks)

(Q03 WMA12/01, Oct 2019)

Q13.

(a) Find the first four terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

(4)
(b) Given that x is small, so terms in x4 and higher powers of x may be ignored, show

where a and b are constants to be found.

(3)

(Total for question = 7 marks)

(Q04 WMA12/01, June 2019)

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Mark Scheme
Q1.

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(Q10 WMA12/01, Oct 2023)

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Q2.

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(Q01 WMA14/01, June 2023)

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Q3.

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(Q03 WMA12/01, Jan 2023)

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Q4.

(Q03 WMA12/01, Jan 2022)

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Q5.

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(Q01 WMA12/01, Oct 2021)

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Q6.

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(Q01 WMA14/01, June 2021)

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Q7.

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

(Q01 WMA14/01, Jan 2021)

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Q8.

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

(Q04 WMA12/01, Jan 2021)

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Q9.

26
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(Q02 WMA14/01, Oct 2020)

27
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Q10.

(Q01 WMA12/01, Oct 2020)

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Q11.

(Q02 WMA12/01, Jan 2020)

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Q12.

(Q03 WMA12/01, Oct 2019)

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Q13.

(Q04 WMA12/01, June 2019)

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Examiner's Report
Q1.

This question proved to be discriminating, especially parts (i)(b) and (ii)(b).

High achieving candidates scored heavily whilst less prepared candidates struggled with the demand.
In (i)(a) most candidates made progress. Using the binomial expansion to expand (3 + 2x)6 is usually a
well-rehearsed skill on WMA12 and aspects of it proved relatively straightforward this time. Unfortunately,
what candidates struggled with, was picking out the 2nd, 3rd and 5th terms. This was unexpected, with
many candidates just writing out the whole expansion or else finding the terms in x2, x3 and x5. As a result,
many could not set up an appropriate equation in (i)(b) and many omitted due to the demand. Pleasingly
there were some very well constructed solutions.
In (ii)(a) many candidates were able to use the correct formula to set up a correct equation in θ. Using
sin2θ = 1 − cos2θ within this equation could convert this to an equation in just cosθ. Almost all candidates
who got this far went on to score all 3 marks. Few candidates lost marks for poor/incorrect notation this
series. The last part of the question demanded high problem-solving skills by candidates and a good
proportion were up to the task. After finding the value of cosθ , substituting this into the expression
2sin2θcosθ ≡ 2(1 − cos2θ)cosθ found the value of the second term.
Common reasons for a loss of marks in this question from candidates who made did some progress were:

(Q10 WMA12/01, Oct 2023)

Q2.

This proved to be a good question, with the Binomial series one of the topics candidates should be
prepared for.

The first five marks could be gained for applying the expansion to There were many fully
correct solutions. Errors were mainly caused by the fractional coefficients and can be summarised as
follows:

• having a factor of rather than 8

• sign errors caused by the (–2x) term

Part (b) was straightforward with most candidates scoring this mark.

In part (c) most candidates attempted to expand using the same method as (a).

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Generally, if candidates were successful in (a), they were successful in (c). A different method involved

multiplying the expansion to by their answer to (a). Most candidates attempting the part by
this method scored at least 2 out of 3.

(Q01 WMA14/01, June 2023)

Q3.

This question was examining both binomial expansion and arithmetic series and was attempted by nearly
all candidates with the majority gaining 3 or 4 marks in part (a). Part (b), as expected, was found to be
more challenging, with a significant number of candidates leaving this part blank or making a very limited
non-credit worthy attempt.

Many candidates were able to demonstrate their knowledge of binomial expansion and scored full marks
in this part. There was roughly an equal mix of vertical brackets and C notation used. Nearly all wrote
their answer in one or two lines, and it was rare to see terms listed in a column. The majority of responses
were written out clearly with binomial coefficients combined with the correct power of x, the correct power
of 2 and with brackets in the correct places; these gained the first M mark. There were occasional
responses where binomial terms were added instead of multiplied, or incorrect powers were combined,
and these gained no marks.

The alternative method in the mark scheme of factorising out the 27 was not very common and those
using this method typically only scored the first M mark, or no marks at all. This was mostly due to
incorrect coefficients inside the bracket and commonly 2(....) rather than 27(....) was seen. The B mark in
this question was awarded for the 128 + 56kx term, with most candidates gaining this mark. Rarely,
candidates left the 128 as 27 and they did not achieve this mark. Nearly all candidates who attempted the
alternative method did not gain this mark due to inaccurate binomial coefficient calculation.

The A marks were concerned with the third and fourth terms of the expansion. The first A mark was for a
correct unsimplified coefficient with the binomial part calculated in at least one of the terms. The main

errors here came from failing to square or cube the denominator or considering that might be
equivalent to 8kx. These errors were more prevalent in the third term and this mark could be awarded if
the fourth term was correct or vice versa. Incorrectly writing kx2 and kx3 also lost this A mark.

The second A mark was for both the third and fourth terms correct and simplified. The majority of
candidates are now much more successful in writing kx in brackets so that the (kx)2 and (kx)3 terms are
dealt with correctly as k2x2 and k3x3. Those who did not expand were unable to achieve the final A mark.
This mark was also lost for not simplifying their fractions or for using a rounded decimal, usually 1.09k3x3.

In part (b), candidates needed to start with coefficients of the form, Ak, Bk2 and Ck3 from (a) in order to be
able to achieve any marks in this part. The most common successful strategy was to find the common
difference and equate them to form a cubic in k.

There were however many other correct alternative methods seen:

• Averaging the 1st and 3rd terms and setting equal to the 2nd
• Calculating the 3rd term using the arithmetic term formula
• Solving the pair of simultaneous equations
• Solving the pair of simultaneous equations
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• A rarer approach used the summation formula, setting it equal to the sum of the first three terms.

Any correct strategy starting with coefficients in the correct form from (a) achieved the first M mark. Some
candidates incorrectly used 128 as their first term and others failed to realise that they only needed to
include the coefficients, ending up struggling with some very complicated equations involving k's and x's
and making no progress. Some incorrectly used the sum of an arithmetic series formula or added their
three identified terms and set equal to 0. A few candidates considered a geometric series instead of an
arithmetic one. The final mark was for the correct answers. This final mark in some cases was not
achieved as the wrong three term cubic had been solved, due to incorrect rearranging or because their
terms from (a) were incorrect. It was, however, pleasing to see a large number of candidates realise from
the given information that k had to be greater than 0 and therefore not include the k = 0 in their answer.
Rarely candidates expressed
their answer as 3.2 < k < 16 or similar, and these lost the final mark.

(Q03 WMA12/01, Jan 2023)

Q4.

This binomial expansion question was accessible to almost all students, especially part (a) with part (b)
more demanding. The mean mark of 4/7 was driven mainly by part (a). One in 10 gained zero marks in
total either via non-attempts or very poor attempts.

Part (a) saw the vast majority of candidates able to use the formula for a binomial expansion, usually

using notation although nCr was also seen, or sometimes directly giving a numerical form. Around
half the students seen gained all four marks for a fully correct binomial expansion. Where marks were

dropped this was generally due to sign errors, using instead of or errors in multiplying out
brackets squared or cubed, in particular forgetting to square/cube the constant k.

Students found part (b) much more challenging, with a significant number of candidates making little or no
attempt. For those who did attempt it, errors included finding only one x term rather than two (very
common), incorrectly adding –1280k and –768 to obtain –2048k, omitting one or both minus signs, and
failing to interpret the phrase 'the constant term is 3 times the coefficient of x' correctly, the latter usually
resulting in the wrong side of the equation being multiplied by 3. Those who, due to a sign error, had
obtained all positive terms in part (a) were still able to gain the two method marks in part (b).

(Q03 WMA12/01, Jan 2022)

Q5.

For this question, which was a relatively standard twist on a binomial question, there were a surprising
number making no or little attempt and unable to access the question, with nearly 20% scoring no marks.
Part (b) provided an early challenge but the first 4 marks were highly accessible, and indeed, when once
underway 80% of candidates scored at least 3 marks, with 30% scoring the modal 6/6 marks.
(a) Most who attempted the question were able to set up or imply at least one correct equation,
usually 16k = −4 to obtain k = −1/4, though a small number of candidates were incorrect in this
equation by did set up the correct equation in p and k for the x2 term. There were more errors finding p

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 FINAL – Y13 Binomial Series

with some having problems with the binomial coefficient or squaring k.

(b) Most were able to achieve the first M mark, usually for finding the value of 2p, though again a
small number of cases focussed on the less obvious term but missed the obvious one. However, fewer
than 50% made further progress, making no attempt to find the other term in x2. That the x3 term had
not been asked for meant many missed it was needed, though it is hoped that candidate would realise
they need multiple terms from expanding brackets to get all the coefficients of a certain term. Of those
who realised what they needed to do, some made errors in finding the coefficient so losing the A mark.
Most who got values for both x2 terms added the two together though a few lost the third mark as they
did not add or added wrongly or missed the negative sign. A lack of understanding of the difference
between "term" and "coefficient" lost some the final A mark for only finding the coefficient of x2 and not
writing down the whole term.

(Q01 WMA12/01, Oct 2021)

Q6.
No Examiner's Report available for this question

Q7.

This was a standard binomial expansion question and a significant proportion of candidates achieved full
marks.

In part (a), the majority of candidates attempted to take out as a factor and correctly evaluated this

as . There were a few slips in evaluating the factor with seen fairly frequently. The majority of
candidates then used the correct structure for the binomial expansion and found the first four terms. A

common incorrect "x" term used was . A very small minority of candidates unnecessarily found an
additional term although this was not penalised in this part of the question. It was good to see that
candidates understood "simplest form" includes signs and it was exceptionally rare that a candidate was

penalised for leaving " + -" instead of "-". Some candidates attempted the direct expansion of
and in the majority of cases this was unsuccessful with the candidates unable to evaluate coefficients
such as . Very rarely, the Maclaurin series was applied. Despite this not being on the syllabus and
full credit was given for this approach if negotiated correctly.

In part (b), the majority of candidates substituted and substituted

into their expansion; finally, either multiplying by 5 or taking the reciprocal of their evaluated
expansion to get . A few candidates simply substituted for x in their expansion but did not relate this
to . Those candidates who had given additional terms in part (a), lost the accuracy mark here in part
(b). A very small minority of candidates unfortunately gave a decimal approximation for their answer and a

very small minority of candidates tried to find a value for x by solving .

(Q01 WMA14/01, Jan 2021)

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Q8.
Binomial expansion is a well understood topic with nearly all students making some progress in part (a).
The application in part (b) was discriminating in the mid grades, with the ideas of identifying relevant
coefficients unclear to many.

In part (a), most candidates expanded using the formula for (a + b)n with very few instances seen of the
factor 26 being taken out first. A small minority attempt expansion of brackets piecemeal, usually resulting
in errors, as well as finding many more terms than needed.

Over 90% of candidates manage one or both of the first two marks, with the B mark for achieving the 64
being most successfully achieved. The most common error seen was in the third term which was often
given a px2 rather than p2x2. The alternative of (px)2 was allowed for full credit.

Part (b) was far more demanding, with little over two thirds making progress, though 50% in total
achieved the correct answer. Most realised the need to try and expand the two brackets, with only the
most able students able to identify the correct two coefficients without a full expansion. The expansion
was generally well done and the two correct x2 terms identified, though some candidates only focussed on
one term in x2 and hence score no marks. A small number ended up with more than two terms in x2
instead.

Common errors after the attempt at expanding (whether successful or not) were: to equate each term to

and solve two equations, rather than equating the sum of the coefficients of the terms to get a

quadratic in p; leaving the x2 term in the quadratic then substituting for x; equating the sum of the

two x2 terms to rather than equating the sum of the coefficients to .

Even when candidates managed to identify the correct two terms and equate the coefficient of x2 to ,
not all ended up with a quadratic in p, as the common mistake highlight in part (a) of px2 meant they only
ended up with a linear term. Candidates who did achieve a quadratic in p from suitable work almost
always scored the method for solving the quadratic, and if the correct equation had been achieved scored
full marks.

(Q04 WMA12/01, Jan 2021)

Q9.

(Q02 WMA14/01, Oct 2020)

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Q10.

(Q01 WMA12/01, Oct 2020)

Q11.

This question was another with good access in part (a) but a challenge for all students in part (b), with
only about 20% scoring full marks.

In part (a) most students proceeded to write out the full expansion, not realising that they can use the
general term formula to write the term in x4 directly. Only relatively few were able to isolate just the
required term. However, the expansion was correct in most students work, and a correct equation in a
achieved. Omission of the power on the a was rare, usually a common mistake, but mostly avoided for
this paper.

The most common error in part (a) was to omit the negative root and give only as the solution,
though this was often left as . Another common error was to give only a decimal answer, and so lose
the final accuracy mark. Indeed, the modal mark on this question was 3, usually scored as the first three
marks of (a).

Attempts at taken out a factor of 36 first we infrequent, and in some cases led to an error in the coefficient
when extracted from the series.

For part (b) many students perhaps struggled with the concept of the term independent of x, and many

left this part blank, or instead tried to find the term in x. Others calculated only constant term from
(3+αx)6, perhaps because they had only expanded up to the x4 term in part (a), so subsequently forgot the
higher order terms. Many attempted a full expansion before trying to isolate terms independent of x.

Those who did realise that the term was also independent of x often went on to score
full marks, with few failing to add their answers. However a common mistake even among those attempt

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this was to omit the power 6 on the 3, result in for the first constant term.

A small number of student lost the final A mark due to using a decimal value of α and failing to recover,
while some others did achieve initially correct constant terms but made slips when adding them together.

(Q02 WMA12/01, Jan 2020)

Q12.

This question was one of the most challenging questions on the paper for candidates. It was extremely
rare for full marks to be scored, although nearly all candidates were able to pick up at least half of the
marks.

Part (a) was a routine binomial expansion problem and candidates were usually successful in scoring full

marks. Some errors when squaring or cubing the term meant that the simplified coefficient was
incorrect.

Part (b) was rarely answered correctly with those who did score any marks often achieved it for stating

. Very few candidates appreciated the need to find the x5 term of the original expansion and as a result
did not score any more marks than the first one in this part. Those who did find the additional term often
went on to score full marks. Some candidates did multiply out the expansion but errors in simplifying or
not cancelling down did not result in finding a term independent of x.

(Q03 WMA12/01, Oct 2019)

Q13.

Almost all candidates were able to gain marks in this question, particularly in part (a). Candidates
confidently applied the binomial series and had no problems with binomial coefficients, which were
usually found using the nCr formula though a minority simply quoted the 6th line of Pascal's triangle. Most
made good use of brackets when writing the unsimplified expansion, and consequently went on to find the
correct expression. A small minority of candidates unnecessarily removed a factor of 26 before expanding.
Such attempts were generally less successful, with errors occurring either when removing 2 or when
simplifying the final answer.

In part (b) the majority of candidates spotted the connection with part (a), simply writing down the
expansion of the second bracket and replacing the − signs with + 's. Others opted to expand again.
However, many candidates were able to demonstrate that the expression could be simplified to a + bx2
and calculated the correct coefficients. Common errors included multiplying the two series instead of
adding, or assuming that both expansions were identical. As stated in the preamble to this report a
common failing in show that questions is the lack of evidence offered by some candidates. It was vital in
part (b) to demonstrate that the term in x and the term in x3 cancelled and therefore disappeared in the
resulting sum.

(Q04 WMA12/01, June 2019)

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