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Particular Term Coefficient

Mediummathematics

Consider the binomial expansion of (1 + 2x)^{20}; the ratio of the coefficient of x^{10} to the coefficient of x^9 in this expansion simplifies to which expression?

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About This Question

Subject
mathematics
Chapter
binomial theorem and its simple applications
Topic
particular term coefficient
Difficulty
Medium
Year
2025
Tags
advanced-calculus-drillcoefficient-ratioconsecutive-termsgeneral-termbinomial-identity

Solution

Correct Answer:

The coefficient of x^r in (1 + 2x)^n is C(n, r) 2^r, obtained directly from the general term, and forming ratios of consecutive such coefficients is a recurring JEE Advanced device. For n = 20, the coefficient of x^{10} is C(20, 10) 2^{10} and the coefficient of x^9 is C(20, 9) 2^9. Their ratio is [C(20, 10) 2^{10}] / [C(20, 9) 2^9] = 2 · C(20, 10) / C(20, 9). Using the identity C(n, r)/C(n, r-1) = (n - r + 1)/r, we have C(20, 10)/C(20, 9) = (20 - 10 + 1)/10 = 11/10. Therefore the ratio is 2 · 11/10 = 22/10 = 11/5. Option 22/11 forgets to simplify or mishandles the factor of 2. Option 10/9 uses the wrong consecutive-coefficient identity. Option 20/11 inverts the index ratio. The factor 2 from 2x is essential and must be carried through, because each additional power of x brings another multiplicative factor of 2 from the term 2x. The consecutive-coefficient identity itself follows from the definition C(n, r) = n!/(r!(n-r)!), which makes neighbouring coefficients differ only by the simple rational factor (n - r + 1)/r. Plausibility check: the ratio exceeds one, which makes sense because the extra factor of 2 from x^{10} more than compensates for the slight drop in the binomial coefficient just past the centre of the row.

This medium difficulty mathematics question is from the chapter binomial theorem and its simple applications, covering the topic of particular term coefficient. It appeared in the 2025 exam.

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