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Date November 2019 Marks available 6 Reference code 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_5
Level Additional Higher Level Paper Paper 2 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Find Question number H_5 Adapted from N/A

Question

Consider the expansion of  ( 2 + x ) n , where  n 3 and  n Z .

The coefficient of  x 3  is four times the coefficient of  x 2 . Find the value of n .

Markscheme

attempt to find coefficients in binomial expansion       (M1)

coefficient of  x 2 : ( n 2 ) × 2 n 2 ; coefficient of  x 3 : ( n 3 ) × 2 n 3          A1A1

Note: Condone terms given rather than coefficients. Terms may be seen in an equation such as that below.

( n 3 ) × 2 n 3 = 4 ( n 2 ) × 2 n 2        (A1)

attempt to solve equation using GDC or algebraically       (M1)

( n 3 ) = 8 ( n 2 )

n ! 3 ! ( n 3 ) ! = 8 n ! 2 ! ( n 2 ) !

1 3 = 8 n 2

n = 26        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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