If ax7yb is a term from the expansion of (x + y)12, describe how to determine its coefficient a and missing exponent b without writing the entire expansion.

Answer :

ANSWER

a) Use the homogeneous property of the binomial expansion to find the missing exponent

b) Use the binomial theorem to find the coefficient

EXPLANATION

The given binomial expansion is:

[tex](x+y)^{12} [/tex]

When we compare this to

[tex](a + b) ^{n} [/tex]

We have

[tex]n = 12[/tex]

Therefore the of each term in the expansion must be 12.

[tex] \implies \: 7 + b = 12[/tex]

[tex]b = 12 - 7[/tex]

[tex]b = 5[/tex]

Since the coefficient of x and y are unity, we use the formula

[tex]^{n} C_r = \frac{n!}{(n - r)!r!} [/tex]

to find the coefficient.

Where n=12 and r=5(the exponent of the y-term).

Therefore the coefficient is

[tex]^{12} C_5= \frac{12!}{(12- 5)!5!} [/tex]

[tex]^{12} C_5= \frac{12!}{7!5!} [/tex]

[tex]^{12} C_5= \frac{12 \times 11 \times 10 \times 9 \times 8 \times 7!}{7! \times 5 \times 4 \times 3 \times 2 \times 1} [/tex]

When we simplify further we get:

[tex]^{12} C_5= 11 \times 9 \times 8 = 792[/tex]

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