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Nov 2016 p12 q4
1021
In the expansion of \((3 - 2x)\left(1 + \frac{x}{2}\right)^n\), the coefficient of \(x\) is 7. Find the value of the constant \(n\) and hence find the coefficient of \(x^2\).
Solution
The term in \(x\) from \(\left(1 + \frac{x}{2}\right)^n\) is \(\frac{nx}{2}\).
In the expansion of \((3 - 2x)(1 + \frac{nx}{2} + \ldots)\), the coefficient of \(x\) is given by:
\(3 \cdot \frac{nx}{2} - 2 = 7\)
\(\frac{3n}{2} - 2 = 7\)
\(\frac{3n}{2} = 9\)
\(n = 6\)
Now, find the coefficient of \(x^2\):
The term in \(x^2\) from \(\left(1 + \frac{x}{2}\right)^n\) is \(\frac{n(n-1)}{2} \left(\frac{x}{2}\right)^2\).