Binomial Expansion

Binomial Expansion - Past Edexcel Exam Questions

1. (Question 2 - C2 May 2018)

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

(2 + kx)7

where k is a non-zero constant. Give each term in its simplest form. [4]

Given that the coefficient of x3 in this expansion is 1890,

(b) find the value of k. [3]

2. (Question 1 - C2 May 2017)

Find the first 4 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of
 5
1
3− x
3

giving each term in its simplest form. [4]

3. (Question 5 - C2 May 2016)

(a) Find the first 3 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

(2 − 9x)4

giving each term in its simplest form. [4]

f (x) = (1 + kx)(2 − 9x)4 , where k is a constant

The expansion, in ascending powers of x, of f (x) up to and including the term in

x2 is
A − 232x + Bx2
where A and B are constants.

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 Binomial Expansion

(b) Write down the value of A. [1]

(c) Find the value of k. [2]
(d) Hence find the value of B. [2]

4. (Question 1 - C2 May 2015)

Find the first 3 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of
 x 10
2−
4
giving each term in its simplest form. [4]

5. (Question 3 - C2 May 2014)

(a) Find the first 3 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

(2 − 3x)6

giving each term in its simplest form. [4]

(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the first 3 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the ex-
pansion of  x
1+ (2 − 3x)6
2
[3]

6. (Question 2 - C2 May 2013)

(a) Use the binomial theorem to find all the terms of the expansion of

(2 + 3x)4

Give each term in its simplest form. [4]

(b) Write down the expansion of
(2 − 3x)4
in ascending powers of x, giving each term in its simplest form. [1]

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 Binomial Expansion

7. (Question 1 - C2 Jan 2013)

Find the first 3 terms, in ascending powers of x, in the binomial expansion of

(2 − 5x)6

Give each term in its simplest form. [4]

8. (Question 1 - C2 May 2012)

Find the first 3 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

(2 − 3x)5

giving each term in its simplest form. [4]

9. (Question 3 - C2 Jan 2012)

(a) Find the first 4 terms of the binomial expansion, in ascending powers of x, of
 x 8
1+
4
giving each term in its simplest form. [4]
(b) Use your expansion to estimate the value of (1.025)8 , giving your answer to 4
decimal places. [3]

10. (Question 2 - C2 May 2011)

(a) Find the first 3 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

(3 + bx)5

where b is a non-zero constant. Give each term in its simplest form. [4]

Given that, in this expansion, the coefficient of x2 is twice the coefficient of x,

(b) find the value of b. [2]

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 Binomial Expansion

11. (Question 5 - C2 Jan 2011)

 
40 40!
Given that = 4!b!
,
4

(a) write down the value of b. [1]

In the binomial expansion of (1 + x)40 , the coefficients of x4 and x5 are p and q

respectively.
(b) Find the value of pq . [3]

12. (Question 4 - C2 June 2010)

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

(1 + ax)7

where a is a constant. Give each term in its simplest form. [4]

Given that the coefficient of x2 in this expansion is 525,

(b) find the possible values of a. [2]

13. (Question 1 - C2 Jan 2010)

Find the first 3 terms, in ascending powers of x, of the binomial expansion of

(3 − x)6

and simplify each term. [4]

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 Binomial Expansion

Solutions

1. (a) 128 + 448kx + 672k 2 x2 + 560k 3 x3

(b) k = 1.5
10 3
2. 243 − 135x + 30x2 − 3
x

3. (a) 16 − 288kx + 1944x2

(b) A = 16
7
(c) k = 2
(d) B = 936

4. 1024 − 1280x + 720x2

5. (a) 64 − 576x + 2160x2

(b) 64 − 544x + 1872x2

6. (a) 16 + 96x + 216x2 + 216x3 + 81x4

(b) 16 − 96x + 216x2 − 216x3 + 81x4

7. 64 − 960x + 6000x2

8. 32 − 240x + 720x2

9. (a) 1 + 2x + 74 x2 + 78 x3
(b) 1 + 0.2 + 0.0175 + 0.000875 ≈ 1.2184

10. (a) 243 + 405bx + 270b2 x2

(b) b = 3

11. (a) b = 36
q 36
(b) p
= 5
when simplified.

12. (a) 1 + 7ax + 21a2 x2 + 35a3 x3

(b) a = ±5

13. 729 − 1458x + 1215x2

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