June 2011 p12 q2
1052
(i) Find the terms in \(x^2\) and \(x^3\) in the expansion of \((1 - \frac{3}{2}x)^6\).
(ii) Given that there is no term in \(x^3\) in the expansion of \((k + 2x)(1 - \frac{3}{2}x)^6\), find the value of the constant \(k\).
Solution
(i) To find the term in \(x^2\) in the expansion of \((1 - \frac{3}{2}x)^6\), use the binomial theorem:
\(^6C_2 \left( -\frac{3}{2}x \right)^2 = 15 \times \left( \frac{9}{4}x^2 \right) = 135x^2.\)
For the term in \(x^3\):
\(^6C_3 \left( -\frac{3}{2}x \right)^3 = 20 \times \left( -\frac{27}{8}x^3 \right) = -540x^3.\)
(ii) For the expansion of \((k + 2x)(1 - \frac{3}{2}x)^6\), the term in \(x^3\) is:
\(2 \times 135x^2 + k \times (-540x^3) = 0.\)
\(\frac{270x^3}{4} - \frac{135kx^3}{2} = 0.\)
Solving for \(k\):
\(270 - 270k = 0\)
\(k = 1.\)
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