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JEE Main 2020
Binomial Theorem
Binomial Theorem
Hard

Question

If the constant term in the expansion of (3x32x2+5x5)10{\left( {3{x^3} - 2{x^2} + {5 \over {{x^5}}}} \right)^{10}} is 2 k .l, where l is an odd integer, then the value of k is equal to:

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Solution

Introduction: Understanding the Problem

The problem asks us to find the constant term in the binomial expansion of (3x32x2+5x5)10{\left( {3{x^3} - 2{x^2} + {5 \over {{x^5}}}} \right)^{10}}. The constant term is then expressed in the form 2kl2^k \cdot l, where ll is an odd integer, and we need to determine the value of kk. This type of problem typically involves the Multinomial Theorem to handle expansions with more than two terms.

Key Concept: The Multinomial Theorem

For an expression of the form (x1+x2+...+xm)n(x_1 + x_2 + ... + x_m)^n, the general term in its expansion is given by: T=n!n1!n2!...nm!x1n1x2n2...xmnmT = \frac{n!}{n_1! n_2! ... n_m!} x_1^{n_1} x_2^{n_2} ... x_m^{n_m} where:

  • nn is the total power of the expansion.
  • x1,x2,...,xmx_1, x_2, ..., x_m are the individual terms within the parenthesis.
  • n1,n2,...,nmn_1, n_2, ..., n_m are non-negative integers representing the powers of each term in a specific product, such that their sum equals nn: n1+n2+...+nm=nn_1 + n_2 + ... + n_m = n The "constant term" is the term where the power of the variable (in this case, xx) is zero, i.e., it is the coefficient of x0x^0.

Step 1: Simplify the Expression to Isolate the Variable Part

The given expression is (3x32x2+5x5)10{\left( {3{x^3} - 2{x^2} + {5 \over {{x^5}}}} \right)^{10}}. To simplify, we can take x5x^5 as a common denominator inside the parenthesis: (3x32x2+5x5)10=(3x3x5x52x2x5x5+5x5)10{\left( {3{x^3} - 2{x^2} + {5 \over {{x^5}}}} \right)^{10}} = {\left( {{{3{x^3} \cdot {x^5}} \over {{x^5}}} - {{2{x^2} \cdot {x^5}} \over {{x^5}}} + {5 \over {{x^5}}}} \right)^{10}} =(3x82x7+5x5)10= {\left( {{{3{x^8} - 2{x^7} + 5} \over {{x^5}}}} \right)^{10}} Now, we can separate the numerator and denominator: =(3x82x7+5)10(x5)10=(3x82x7+5)10x50= {{{{\left( {3{x^8} - 2{x^7} + 5} \right)}^{10}}} \over {{{\left( {{x^5}} \right)}^{10}}}} = {{{{\left( {3{x^8} - 2{x^7} + 5} \right)}^{10}}} \over {{x^{50}}}} For this entire expression to be a constant term (i.e., independent of xx), the numerator must contain an x50x^{50} term that cancels out the x50x^{50} in the denominator. Therefore, our goal is to find the coefficient of x50x^{50} in the expansion of (3x82x7+5)10{\left( {3{x^8} - 2{x^7} + 5} \right)^{10}}.

Step 2: Apply the Multinomial Theorem to Find the General Term of the Numerator

Let's consider the expansion of (3x82x7+5)10{\left( {3{x^8} - 2{x^7} + 5} \right)^{10}}. Here, n=10n=10, and the terms are:

  • x1=3x8x_1 = 3x^8
  • x2=2x7x_2 = -2x^7
  • x3=5x_3 = 5 (which can be considered as 5x05x^0)

Using the Multinomial Theorem, the general term is: T=10!n1!n2!n3!(3x8)n1(2x7)n2(5)n3T = \frac{10!}{n_1! n_2! n_3!} (3x^8)^{n_1} (-2x^7)^{n_2} (5)^{n_3} where n1,n2,n3n_1, n_2, n_3 are non-negative integers such that n1+n2+n3=10n_1 + n_2 + n_3 = 10.

Let's separate the numerical coefficients and the powers of xx: T=10!n1!n2!n3!(3)n1(x8)n1(2)n2(x7)n2(5)n3(x0)n3T = \frac{10!}{n_1! n_2! n_3!} (3)^{n_1} (x^8)^{n_1} (-2)^{n_2} (x^7)^{n_2} (5)^{n_3} (x^0)^{n_3} T=10!n1!n2!n3!(3)n1(2)n2(5)n3x8n1x7n2x0T = \frac{10!}{n_1! n_2! n_3!} (3)^{n_1} (-2)^{n_2} (5)^{n_3} x^{8n_1} x^{7n_2} x^0 Combining the powers of xx: T=(10!n1!n2!n3!(3)n1(2)n2(5)n3)x8n1+7n2T = \left( \frac{10!}{n_1! n_2! n_3!} (3)^{n_1} (-2)^{n_2} (5)^{n_3} \right) x^{8n_1 + 7n_2} The coefficient of x8n1+7n2x^{8n_1 + 7n_2} is the expression in the parenthesis.

Step 3: Determine Conditions for the Desired Term (x50x^{50})

For the term to be x50x^{50}, the exponent of xx must be 50. So, we set up the equation: 8n1+7n2=50()8n_1 + 7n_2 = 50 \quad (*) We also have the fundamental constraint from the Multinomial Theorem: n1+n2+n3=10()n_1 + n_2 + n_3 = 10 \quad (**) Remember that n1,n2,n3n_1, n_2, n_3 must be non-negative integers (ni0n_i \ge 0).

Step 4: Find Valid Integer Values for n1,n2,n3n_1, n_2, n_3

We need to find non-negative integer solutions for n1n_1 and n2n_2 for the equation 8n1+7n2=508n_1 + 7n_2 = 50. We can systematically test values for n1n_1:

  • If n1=0n_1 = 0: 7n2=50    n2=50/77n_2 = 50 \implies n_2 = 50/7, which is not an integer.
  • If n1=1n_1 = 1: 8(1)+7n2=50    7n2=42    n2=68(1) + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 7n_2 = 42 \implies n_2 = 6.
    • This is a valid integer solution for (n1,n2)(n_1, n_2). Now, find n3n_3 using n1+n2+n3=10n_1 + n_2 + n_3 = 10:
    • 1+6+n3=10    7+n3=10    n3=31 + 6 + n_3 = 10 \implies 7 + n_3 = 10 \implies n_3 = 3.
    • So, (n1,n2,n3)=(1,6,3)(n_1, n_2, n_3) = (1, 6, 3) is a valid set of indices. All are non-negative integers.
  • If n1=2n_1 = 2: 8(2)+7n2=50    16+7n2=50    7n2=348(2) + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 16 + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 7n_2 = 34, not an integer.
  • If n1=3n_1 = 3: 8(3)+7n2=50    24+7n2=50    7n2=268(3) + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 24 + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 7n_2 = 26, not an integer.
  • If n1=4n_1 = 4: 8(4)+7n2=50    32+7n2=50    7n2=188(4) + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 32 + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 7n_2 = 18, not an integer.
  • If n1=5n_1 = 5: 8(5)+7n2=50    40+7n2=50    7n2=108(5) + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 40 + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 7n_2 = 10, not an integer.
  • If n1=6n_1 = 6: 8(6)+7n2=50    48+7n2=50    7n2=28(6) + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 48 + 7n_2 = 50 \implies 7n_2 = 2, not an integer.
  • If n1=7n_1 = 7: 8(7)=568(7) = 56, which is already greater than 50. So, no further solutions for n17n_1 \ge 7 are possible for non-negative n2n_2.

Thus, the only combination of (n1,n2,n3)(n_1, n_2, n_3) that satisfies all conditions is (1,6,3)(1, 6, 3).

Step 5: Calculate the Coefficient of x50x^{50}

Now we substitute n1=1,n2=6,n3=3n_1=1, n_2=6, n_3=3 into the coefficient part of the general term: Coefficient=10!1!6!3!(3)1(2)6(5)3\text{Coefficient} = \frac{10!}{1! 6! 3!} (3)^{1} (-2)^{6} (5)^{3} Let's calculate the factorial part: 10!1!6!3!=10×9×8×7×6!1×6!×(3×2×1)=10×9×8×76\frac{10!}{1! 6! 3!} = \frac{10 \times 9 \times 8 \times 7 \times 6!}{1 \times 6! \times (3 \times 2 \times 1)} = \frac{10 \times 9 \times 8 \times 7}{6} =10×3×4×7=840= 10 \times 3 \times 4 \times 7 = 840 Now substitute this back into the coefficient expression: Coefficient=840×(3)1×(2)6×(5)3\text{Coefficient} = 840 \times (3)^1 \times (-2)^6 \times (5)^3 =840×3×64×125= 840 \times 3 \times 64 \times 125 Let's perform the multiplication and factorize into prime powers: 840=84×10=(22×3×7)×(2×5)=23×3×5×7840 = 84 \times 10 = (2^2 \times 3 \times 7) \times (2 \times 5) = 2^3 \times 3 \times 5 \times 7 3=313 = 3^1 64=2664 = 2^6 125=53125 = 5^3 So, Coefficient=(23×3×5×7)×31×26×53\text{Coefficient} = (2^3 \times 3 \times 5 \times 7) \times 3^1 \times 2^6 \times 5^3 Group the powers of each prime number: Coefficient=23+6×31+1×51+3×71\text{Coefficient} = 2^{3+6} \times 3^{1+1} \times 5^{1+3} \times 7^1 Coefficient=29×32×54×7\text{Coefficient} = 2^9 \times 3^2 \times 5^4 \times 7

Step 6: Express in the Required Form and Find kk

The problem states that the constant term is 2kl2^k \cdot l, where ll is an odd integer. Our calculated constant term is 29×32×54×72^9 \times 3^2 \times 5^4 \times 7. Comparing this with 2kl2^k \cdot l:

  • The power of 2 is 292^9, so k=9k=9.
  • The remaining part, l=32×54×7=9×625×7=5625×7=39375l = 3^2 \times 5^4 \times 7 = 9 \times 625 \times 7 = 5625 \times 7 = 39375. We check that l=39375l = 39375 is indeed an odd integer (it is not divisible by 2).

Therefore, the value of kk is 99.

Tip on Common Mistakes:

  • Algebraic Error in Simplification: A common mistake is to incorrectly simplify the original expression, as shown in the initial thought process, leading to a different problem. Always double-check algebraic manipulations.
  • Incorrectly Identifying Terms: Ensure that each term (x1,x2,x3x_1, x_2, x_3) is correctly identified, including its sign and any powers of xx.
  • Forgetting Constraints: It's crucial to remember that n1,n2,n3n_1, n_2, n_3 must be non-negative integers that sum up to nn. Systematically testing values helps prevent overlooking solutions or including invalid ones.
  • Factorization Errors: When expressing the final coefficient in the form 2kl2^k \cdot l, ensure careful prime factorization to correctly identify kk and confirm ll is odd.

Summary and Key Takeaway

To find the constant term in a multinomial expansion, especially with complex terms involving variables in the denominator, it's often helpful to first rewrite the entire expression such that the variable powers are easily combined. Then, apply the Multinomial Theorem to define the general term. The core of the problem lies in setting the total exponent of the variable to zero (for the constant term) or to a specific value (if the expression was simplified) and systematically finding all non-negative integer combinations for the powers of individual terms (nin_i). Finally, calculate the coefficient for these valid combinations and express it in the desired format. In this case, careful calculation led to k=9k=9.

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