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Date May 2017 Marks available 6 Reference code 17M.2.AHL.TZ1.H_3
Level Additional Higher Level Paper Paper 2 Time zone Time zone 1
Command term Find Question number H_3 Adapted from N/A

Question

The coefficient of x 2 in the expansion of ( 1 x + 5 x ) 8 is equal to the coefficient of x 4 in the expansion of ( a + 5 x ) 7 ,   a R . Find the value of a .

Markscheme

* This question is from an exam for a previous syllabus, and may contain minor differences in marking or structure.

METHOD 1

8 C r ( 1 x ) 8 r ( 5 x ) r = 8 C r ( 5 ) r x 2 r 8    (M1)

r = 5      (A1)

8 C 5 × 5 5 = 7 C 4 a 3 × 5 4      M1A1

56 × 5 = 35 a 3

a 3 = 8      (A1)

a = 2      A1

METHOD 2

attempt to expand both binomials     M1

175000 x 2      A1

21875 a 3 x 4      A1

175000 = 21875 a 3      M1

a 3 = 8      (A1)

a = 2      A1

[6 marks]

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Topic 1—Number and algebra » SL 1.9—Binomial theorem where n is an integer
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Topic 1—Number and algebra

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