Edexcel C2 — Question 1 6 marks

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleC2 (Core Mathematics 2)
Marks6
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicBinomial Theorem (positive integer n)
TypeRatio of coefficients condition
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a straightforward binomial theorem question requiring standard application of the formula and solving a simple equation. Part (a) is routine recall, part (b) involves setting up and solving a linear equation from the coefficient ratio, and part (c) is direct substitution. The algebraic manipulation is minimal and the problem follows a standard textbook pattern with no novel insight required.
Spec1.04a Binomial expansion: (a+b)^n for positive integer n

  1. (a) Write down the first four terms of the binomial expansion, in ascending powers of \(x\), of \(( 1 + 3 x ) ^ { n }\), where \(n > 2\).
Given that the coefficient of \(x ^ { 3 }\) in this expansion is ten times the coefficient of \(x ^ { 2 }\),
(b) find the value of \(n\),
(c) find the coefficient of \(x ^ { 4 }\) in the expansion.

\begin{enumerate}
  \item (a) Write down the first four terms of the binomial expansion, in ascending powers of $x$, of $( 1 + 3 x ) ^ { n }$, where $n > 2$.
\end{enumerate}

Given that the coefficient of $x ^ { 3 }$ in this expansion is ten times the coefficient of $x ^ { 2 }$,\\
(b) find the value of $n$,\\
(c) find the coefficient of $x ^ { 4 }$ in the expansion.\\

\hfill \mbox{\textit{Edexcel C2  Q1 [6]}}