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2023 Paper 3 Q4
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0
binomial theorem trigonometric identities polynomial expansion chebyshev polynomials coefficient extraction combinatorics

Let \(n\) be a positive integer. The polynomial \(\mathrm{p}\) is defined by the identity \[\mathrm{p}(\cos\theta) \equiv \cos\big((2n+1)\theta\big) + 1\,.\]

  1. Show that \[\cos\big((2n+1)\theta\big) = \sum_{r=0}^{n} \binom{2n+1}{2r} \cos^{2n+1-2r}\theta\,(\cos^2\theta - 1)^r\,.\]
  2. By considering the expansion of \((1+t)^{2n+1}\) for suitable values of \(t\), show that the coefficient of \(x^{2n+1}\) in the polynomial \(\mathrm{p}(x)\) is \(2^{2n}\).
  3. Show that the coefficient of \(x^{2n-1}\) in the polynomial \(\mathrm{p}(x)\) is \(-(2n+1)2^{2n-2}\).
  4. It is given that there exists a polynomial \(\mathrm{q}\) such that \[\mathrm{p}(x) = (x+1)\,[\mathrm{q}(x)]^2\] and the coefficient of \(x^n\) in \(\mathrm{q}(x)\) is greater than \(0\). Write down the coefficient of \(x^n\) in the polynomial \(\mathrm{q}(x)\) and, for \(n \geqslant 2\), show that the coefficient of \(x^{n-2}\) in the polynomial \(\mathrm{q}(x)\) is \[2^{n-2}(1-n)\,.\]

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2012 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1500.0
generalised binomial theorem power series expansion coefficient extraction generating functions partial fractions combinatorics geometric series

Write down the general term in the expansion in powers of \(x\) of \((1-x^6)^{-2}\,\).

  1. Find the coefficient of \(x^{24}\) in the expansion in powers of \(x\) of \[ (1-x^6)^{-2} (1-x^3)^{-1}\,.\] Obtain also, and simplify, formulae for the coefficient of \(x^n\) in the different cases that arise.
  2. Show that the coefficient of \(x^{24}\) in the expansion in powers of \(x\) of \[ (1-x^6)^{-2} (1-x^3)^{-1} (1-x)^{-1}\,\] is \(55\), and find the coefficients of \(x^{25}\) and \(x^{66}\).

Solution: \(\displaystyle (1-x^6)^{-2} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (n+1)x^{6n}\)

  1. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && f(x) &= (1-x^6)^{-2}(1-x^3)^{-1} \\ &&&= \left ( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (n+1)x^{6n} \right) \left ( \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x^{3n} \right) \\ [x^{24}]: && c_{24} &= 1 + 2+ 3+4+5 = 15 \end{align*} Clearly \(n\) must be a multiple of \(3\). If \(n = 6k\) then we have \(1 + 2 + \cdots + (k+1) = \frac{(k+1)(k+2)}{2}\) If \(n = 6k+3\) then we have \(1 + 2 + \cdots + (k+1) = \frac{(k+1)(k+2)}{2}\) the same way, we just must always get one extra \(x^3\) term from the second expansion.
  2. We can obtain \(x^{24}\) from the product of \((1-x^6)^{-2}(1-x^3)^{-1}\) and \((1-x)^{-1}\) in the following ways: \begin{array}{c|c|c} (1-x^6)^{-2}(1-x^3)^{-1} & (1-x)^{-1} & \text{product} \\ \hline 15x^{24} & x^0 & 15x^{24} \\ 10x^{21} & x^3 & 10x^{24} \\ 10x^{18} & x^6 & 10x^{24} \\ 6x^{15} & x^9 & 6x^{24} \\ 6x^{12} & x^{12} & 6x^{24} \\ 3x^{9} & x^{15} & 3x^{24} \\ 3x^{6} & x^{18} & 3x^{24} \\ x^{3} & x^{21} & x^{24} \\ x^{0} & x^{24}& x^{24} \end{array} So the total is \(55\). Similarly for \(25\) we can only obtain this in the same ways but also taking an extra power of \(x\) from the geometric series, ie \(55\) For \(66\) we obtain by similar reasoning that it is: \(\frac{13\cdot12}{2} + 2 \left (1 + 3 + \cdots + \frac{13 \cdot 12}{2} \right) = \frac{13\cdot12}{2} + 2 \binom{14}{3} = \frac{13 \cdot 12}2 ( 1 + \frac{30}{3}) = 11 \cdot 6 \cdot 13 = 858\)

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2011 Paper 1 Q6
D: 1500.0 B: 1500.0
generalised binomial theorem negative binomial expansion partial fractions power series coefficient extraction summation of series polynomial division

Use the binomial expansion to show that the coefficient of \(x^r\) in the expansion of \((1-x)^{-3}\) is \(\frac12 (r+1)(r+2)\,\).

  1. Show that the coefficient of \(x^r\) in the expansion of \[ \frac{1-x+2x^2}{(1-x)^3} \] is \(r^2+1\) and hence find the sum of the series \[ 1+\frac22+\frac54+\frac{10}8+\frac{17}{16}+\frac{26}{32}+\frac{37}{64} +\frac{50}{128}+ \cdots \,. \]
  2. Find the sum of the series \[ 1+2+\frac94+2+\frac{25}{16}+\frac{9}{8}+\frac{49}{64} + \cdots \,. \]

Solution: Notice that the coefficient of \(x^r\) is \((-1)^r\frac{(-3) \cdot (-3-1) \cdots (-3-r+1)}{r!} = (-1)^r \frac{(-1)(-2)(-3)(-4) \cdots (-(r+2))}{(-1)(-2)r!} = (-1)^r(-1)^{r+2}\frac{(r+2)!}{2r!} = \frac{(r+2)(r+1)}2\).

  1. The coefficient of \(x^r\) is \begin{align*} && c_r &=\frac{(r+1)(r+2)}{2} - \frac{(r-1+1)(r-1+2)}{2} + 2 \frac{((r-2+1)(r-2+2)}{2} \\ &&&= \frac{r^2+3r+2}{r} - \frac{r^2+r}{2} + \frac{2r^2-2r}{2}\\ &&&= \frac{2r^2+2}{2} = r^2+1 \end{align*} \begin{align*} && S & = 1+\frac22+\frac54+\frac{10}8+\frac{17}{16}+\frac{26}{32}+\frac{37}{64} +\frac{50}{128}+ \cdots \\ &&&= \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \frac{r^2+1}{2^r} \\ &&&= \frac{1-\tfrac12+2 \cdot \tfrac14}{(1-\tfrac12)^3} \\ &&&= 8 \end{align*}
  2. \(\,\) \begin{align*} && S &= 1+2+\frac94+2+\frac{25}{16}+\frac{9}{8}+\frac{49}{64} + \cdots \\ &&&= \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \frac{(r+1)^2}{2^r} \\ &&&= 2 \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \frac{(r+1)^2}{2^{r+1}} \\ &&&= 2 \sum_{r=1}^{\infty} \frac{r^2}{2^{r}} \\ &&&= 2 \left (\sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \frac{r^2+1}{2^{r}} - \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{2^{r}} \right) \\ &&&= 2 (8 - 1) = 14 \end{align*}

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2000 Paper 1 Q2
D: 1516.0 B: 1499.4
binomial theorem binomial expansion coefficient extraction negative powers algebraic manipulation factorisation

Show that the coefficient of \(x^{-12}\) in the expansion of \[ \left(x^{4}-\frac{1}{x^{2}}\right)^{5} \left(x-\frac{1}{x}\right)^{6} \] is \(-15\), and calculate the coefficient of \(x^2\). Hence, or otherwise, calculate the coefficients of \(x^4\) and \(x^{38}\) in the expansion of \[ (x^2-1)^{11}(x^4+x^2+1)^5. \]

Solution: The powers of \(x\) in the first bracket will be \(x^{20}, x^{14}, \cdots, x^{-10}\). The powers of \(x\) in the second bracket will be \(x^6, x^4, \cdots, x^{-6}\). Therefore we can achieve \(x^{-12}\) in only one way: \begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c} 1\text{st bracket} & 2\text{nd bracket} & 1\text{st coef} & 2\text{nd coef} & \text{prod} \\ \hline x^{-10} & x^{-2} & \binom{5}{5}(-1)^5 = -1 & \binom{6}{4}(-1)^4 = 15& -15 \\ \end{array} We can achieve \(x^2\) as follows: \begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c} 1\text{st bracket} & 2\text{nd bracket} & 1\text{st coef} & 2\text{nd coef} & \text{prod} \\ \hline x^{-4} & x^{6} & \binom{5}{4}(-1)^4 = 5 & \binom{6}{0}(-1)^0 = 1& 5 \\ x^{2} & x^{0} & \binom{5}{3}(-1)^3 = -10 & \binom{6}{3}(-1)^3 = -20 & 200 \\ x^{8} & x^{-6} & \binom{5}{2}(-1)^2 = 10 & \binom{6}{6}(-1)^6 = 1 & 10 \end{array} Therefore the coefficient is \(215\) \((x^2-1)(x^4+x^2+1) = x^6-1\), therefore \begin{align*} (x^2-1)^{11}(x^4+x^2+1)^5 &= (x^2-1)^6(x^6-1)^5 \\ &= x^6\left(x-\frac1x\right)^6(x^6-1)^6 \\ &= x^6\left(x-\frac1x\right)^6\left(x^2\left(x^4-\frac{1}{x^2}\right)\right)^5 \\ &= x^6\left(x-\frac1x\right)^6x^{10}\left(x^4-\frac{1}{x^2}\right)^5 \\ &= x^{16}\left(x-\frac1x\right)^6\left(x^4-\frac{1}{x^2}\right)^6 \\ \end{align*} Therefore the coefficient of \(x^4\) is the coefficient of \(x^{4-16} = x^{-12}\) in our original expression, ie \(-15\). Similarly, the coefficient of \(x^{38}\) is the coefficient of \(x^{38-16} = x^{22}\), which can only be achieved in one way: \begin{array}{c|c|c|c|c} 1\text{st bracket} & 2\text{nd bracket} & 1\text{st coef} & 2\text{nd coef} & \text{prod} \\ \hline x^{20} & x^{2} & \binom{5}{0}(-1)^0 = 1 & \binom{6}{2}(-1)^2 = 15& 15 \\ \end{array} Therefore the coefficient is \(15\)

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1996 Paper 2 Q1
D: 1600.0 B: 1529.8
generalised binomial theorem binomial expansion negative exponent coefficient extraction polynomial powers series truncation

  1. Find the coefficient of \(x^{6}\) in \[(1-2x+3x^{2}-4x^{3}+5x^{4})^{3}.\] You should set out your working clearly.
  2. By considering the binomial expansions of \((1+x)^{-2}\) and \((1+x)^{-6}\), or otherwise, find the coefficient of \(x^{6}\) in \[(1-2x+3x^{2}-4x^{3}+5x^{4}-6x^{5}+7x^{6})^{3}.\]

Solution:

  1. We can obtain a \(6\) from \(4+2+0, 4+1+1, 3+3+0, 3+2+1, 2+2+2\). So \(x^6\) from \(4,2,0\) can happen in \(6\) ways and gets us a coefficient of \(1 \cdot 3 \cdot 5\). \(x^6\) from \(4,1,1\) can happen in \(3\) ways and gets us a coefficient of \(5 \cdot (-2) \cdot (-2)\). \(x^6\) from \(3,3,0\) can happen in \(3\) ways and gets us a coefficient of \((-4) \cdot (-4) \cdot 1\). \(x^6\) from \(3,2,1\) can happen in \(6\) ways and gets us a coefficient of \((-4) \cdot 3 \cdot (-2)\). \(x^6\) from \(2,2,2\) can happen in \(1\) ways and gets us a coefficient of \(3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3\). This leaves us with a total coefficient of: \(6 \cdot 15 + 3 \cdot 20 + 3 \cdot 16 + 6 \cdot 24 + 1 \cdot 27 = 369\)
  2. \begin{align*} (1+x)^{-2} &= 1 + (-2)x+\frac{(-2)\cdot(-3)}{2!} x^2 + \frac{(-2)(-3)(-4)}{3!}x^3 + \cdots \\ &= 1 -2x+3x^2-4x^3+5x^4+\cdots \\ \end{align*} The coefficient of \(x^6\) in the expansion of \((1+x)^{-6}\) will be \(\frac{(-6)(-7)(-8)(-9)(-10)(-11)}{6!} = \frac{11!}{6!5!} = 462\). The coefficient of \(x^6\) in the expansion of \((1 -2x+3x^2-4x^3+5x^4+\cdots)^3\) will be the same as the coefficient of \(x^6\) in the expansion of \((1 -2x+3x^2-4x^3+5x^4-6x^5+7x^6)^3\), ie it will be \(462\)

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1989 Paper 3 Q5
D: 1700.0 B: 1516.0
hyperbolic functions polynomial binomial expansion inverse hyperbolic functions Chebyshev polynomials proof coefficient extraction odd function

Given that \(y=\cosh(n\cosh^{-1}x),\) for \(x\geqslant1,\) prove that \[ y=\frac{(x+\sqrt{x^{2}-1})^{n}+(x-\sqrt{x^{2}-1})^{n}}{2}. \] Explain why, when \(n=2k+1\) and \(k\in\mathbb{Z}^{+},\) \(y\) can also be expressed as the polynomial \[ a_{0}x+a_{1}x^{3}+a_{2}x^{5}+\cdots+a_{k}x^{2k+1}. \] Find \(a_{0},\) and show that

  1. \(a_{1}=(-1)^{k-1}2k(k+1)(2k+1)/3\);
  2. \(a_{2}=(-1)^{k}2(k-1)k(k+2)(2k+1)/15.\)
Find also the value of \({\displaystyle \sum_{r=0}^{k}a_{r}.}\)

Solution: Recall, \(\cosh^{-1} x = \ln (x + \sqrt{x^2-1})\) \begin{align*} \cosh(n \cosh^{-1} x) &= \frac12 \left ( \exp(n \cosh^{-1} x) + \exp(-n\cosh^{-1}x) \right) \\ &= \frac12 \left ((x + \sqrt{x^2-1})^n + (x + \sqrt{x^2-1})^{-n} \right) \\ &= \frac12 \left ((x + \sqrt{x^2-1})^n + (x - \sqrt{x^2-1})^{n} \right) \\ \end{align*} When \(n = 2k+1\) \begin{align*} \cosh(n \cosh^{-1} x)&= \frac12 \left ((x + \sqrt{x^2-1})^n + (x - \sqrt{x^2-1})^{n} \right) \\ &= \frac12 \left (\sum_{i=0}^{2k+1}\binom{2k+1}{i}x^{2k+1-i}\left ( (\sqrt{x^2-1}^{i} + (-\sqrt{x^2-1})^{i} \right) \right) \\ &=\sum_{i=0}^{k} \binom{2k+1}{2i}x^{2k+1-2i}(x^2-1)^i \\ &=\sum_{i=0}^{k} \binom{2k+1}{2i}x^{2(k-i)+1}(x^2-1)^i \\ \end{align*} Which is clearly a polynomial with only odd degree terms. \begin{align*} a_0 &= \frac{\d y}{\d x} \vert_{x=0} \\ &= \sum_{i=0}^k\binom{2k+1}{2i} \left ( (2(k-i)+1)x^{2(k-i)}(x^2-1)^i + 2i\cdot x^{2(k-i)+2}(x^2-1) \right) \\ &= \binom{2k+1}{2k} (-1)^{k} \\ &= (-1)^k(2k+1) \end{align*}

  1. \begin{align*} a_1 &= \binom{2k+1}{2k}\binom{k}{1}(-1)^{k-1}+\binom{2k+1}{2(k-1)}(-1)^{k-1} \\ &=(-1)^{k-1}\cdot ( (2k+1)k + \frac{(2k+1)\cdot 2k \cdot (2k-1)}{3!}) \\ &= (-1)^{k-1}(2k+1)k\frac{3 + 2k-1}{3} \\ &= (-1)^{k-1}2(2k+1)k (k+1) \end{align*}
  2. \begin{align*} a_2 &= \binom{2k+1}{2k} \binom{k}{2}(-1)^{k-2} + \binom{2k+1}{2(k-1)} \binom{k-1}{1} (-1)^{k-2}+\binom{2k+1}{2(k-2)} (-1)^{k-2} \\ &= \binom{2k+1}{1} \binom{k}{2}(-1)^{k-2} + \binom{2k+1}{3} \binom{k-1}{1} (-1)^{k-2}+\binom{2k+1}{5} (-1)^{k-2} \\ &= (-1)^{k} \left (\binom{2k+1}{1} \frac{k(k-1)}{2} + \binom{2k+1}{3}(k-1)+\binom{2k+1}{5} \right) \\ &= (-1)^{k} \left ( \frac{(2k+1)k(k-1)}{2} + \frac{(2k+1)k(2k-1)}{3} + \frac{(2k+1)k(2k-1)(k-1)(2k-3)}{5\cdot2\cdot3} \right) \\ &= (-1)^k (2k+1)k\frac{1}{30} \left ( 15(k-1) + 10(2k-1)+(2k-1)(k-1)(2k-3) \right) \end{align*}
\begin{align*} \sum_{r=0}^k a_k &= \frac12 \left ((1 + \sqrt{1^2-1})^n + (1 - \sqrt{1^2-1})^{n} \right) \\ &= 1 \end{align*}

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