Q.Expand the expression (2x−3)6.
Concept understanding — Binomial Theorem Expansion
The Problem That Started It All
Imagine you have to expand (x+y)2. That's easy: x2+2xy+y2. Now try (x+y)3: x3+3x2y+3xy2+y3. Still manageable.
But what about (x+y)10? Or (x+y)100? Multiplying it out term by term would take forever. There has to be a pattern — and there is.
The Binomial Theorem is the shortcut that tells you exactly what each term in the expansion of (x+y)n looks like, without ever having to multiply.
The Pattern You Already Know
Look at the expansions you already know:
| Power | Expansion |
|---|---|
| (x+y)0 | 1 |
| (x+y)1 | x+y |
| (x+y)2 | x2+2xy+y2 |
| (x+y)3 | x3+3x2y+3xy2+y3 |
| (x+y)4 | x4+4x3y+6x2y2+4xy3+y4 |
Notice three things:
- The powers of x decrease from n down to 0, while the powers of y increase from 0 up to n. In every term, the exponents add to n.
- The coefficients — 1, 4, 6, 4, 1 for n=4 — follow a famous pattern called Pascal's triangle.
- The number of terms is always n+1.
Pascal's triangle: each number is the sum of the two numbers directly above it.
1
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
1 5 10 10 5 1
The Precise Statement
Binomial Theorem: For any positive integer n,
(x+y)n=∑k=0n(kn)xn−kyk
where (kn)=k!(n−k)!n! is called the binomial coefficient.
Let's break that down.
The symbol ∑k=0n means "add up terms for k=0,1,2,…,n". For each k, the term is:
- (kn) — the coefficient (read as "n choose k")
- xn−k — x raised to the power n−k
- yk — y raised to the power k
So for n=4, the terms are:
| k | (k4) | x4−k | yk | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | (04)=1 | x4 | y0 | 1⋅x4 |
| 1 | (14)=4 | x3 | y1 | 4x3y |
| 2 | (24)=6 | x2 | y2 | 6x2y2 |
| 3 | (34)=4 | x1 | y3 | 4xy3 |
| 4 | (44)=1 | x0 | y4 | 1⋅y4 |
Add them up: x4+4x3y+6x2y2+4xy3+y4. Exactly what we had.
Where Do Those Coefficients Come From?
The binomial coefficient (kn) counts how many ways you can choose k items from a set of n items. In the expansion, it counts how many ways you can pick k copies of y (and therefore n−k copies of x) when multiplying (x+y) by itself n times.
To compute (kn) quickly: start at n and multiply k decreasing numbers, then divide by k!.
Example: (37)=3⋅2⋅17⋅6⋅5=35.
The General Term
The k-th term (starting with k=0) in the expansion is:
General term: Tk+1=(kn)xn−kyk
This is the most useful part for exams. If someone asks "find the 5th term in (x+y)10", you set k=4 (because Tk+1 means k=4 gives the 5th term) and write:
T5=(410)x6y4
What If It's Not Just x and y?
The theorem works for any expression. For (2a−3b)5, treat x=2a and y=−3b:
(2a−3b)5=∑k=05(k5)(2a)5−k(−3b)k
The k-th term becomes (k5)(2)5−k(−3)ka5−kbk. The coefficients get multiplied by powers of 2 and -3.
A common mistake: forgetting the sign. If the second term is negative, every odd k (1, 3, 5, ...) picks up a negative sign from (−3)k.
Why This Matters
The Binomial Theorem isn't just a formula — it's a window into combinatorics, probability, and even calculus. It lets you:
- Expand any binomial instantly
- Find a specific term without expanding everything
- Approximate values like (1.01)10 by setting x=1, y=0.01
- Understand the binomial distribution in statistics
The core idea: every term in (x+y)n has the form (kn)xn−kyk, and the theorem tells you exactly which k to use and what coefficient goes with it.
Expanding binomial expressions using the Binomial Theorem is a core topic in the NCERT Class 11 Mathematics chapter on Binomial Theorem, and "binomial theorem expansion formula and examples" is one of the most searched topics for CBSE board and JEE Main preparation. Finding a specific general term without full expansion is also a classic question type that appears repeatedly in "binomial theorem important questions" for competitive exams.
Concept: Binomial Theorem Expansion
The binomial theorem states that (a+b)n=∑r=0n(rn)an−rbr.
Here a=2x, b=−3, and n=6.
Step 1: Write the general term: (r6)(2x)6−r(−3)r
Step 2: Expand for r=0,1,2,…,6:
(2x−3)6=(06)(2x)6+(16)(2x)5(−3)+(26)(2x)4(−3)2+(36)(2x)3(−3)3+(46)(2x)2(−3)4+(56)(2x)(−3)5+(66)(−3)6
Step 3: Calculate binomial coefficients and simplify each term:
=1⋅64x6+6⋅32x5⋅(−3)+15⋅16x4⋅9+20⋅8x3⋅(−27)
+15⋅4x2⋅81+6⋅2x⋅(−243)+1⋅729
=64x6−576x5+2160x4−4320x3+4860x2−2916x+729
The expansion is 64x6−576x5+2160x4−4320x3+4860x2−2916x+729.
Use the Binomial Theorem to expand (2x−3)6 as a sum of seven terms, treating it as (2x+(−3))6 and applying the formula (k6)(2x)6−k(−3)k for k=0,1,…,6.
The Binomial Theorem tells us how to expand any expression of the form (a+b)n without multiplying it out the long way. The key insight is that each term in the expansion comes from choosing either a or b from each of the n factors, and the coefficient counts how many ways we can make that choice. For (a+b)n, the expansion is:
∑k=0n(kn)an−kbk
Here we have (2x−3)6, which we rewrite as (2x+(−3))6 so that a=2x, b=−3, and n=6. The expansion will have 7 terms (from k=0 to k=6).
(k6)(2x)6−k(−3)k
Now we compute each term systematically.
- Term with k=0:
(06)(2x)6(−3)0=1⋅64x6⋅1=64x6
- Term with k=1:
(16)(2x)5(−3)1=6⋅32x5⋅(−3)=−576x5
- Term with k=2:
(26)(2x)4(−3)2=15⋅16x4⋅9=2160x4
- Term with k=3:
(36)(2x)3(−3)3=20⋅8x3⋅(−27)=−4320x3
- Term with k=4:
(46)(2x)2(−3)4=15⋅4x2⋅81=4860x2
- Term with k=5:
(56)(2x)1(−3)5=6⋅2x⋅(−243)=−2916x
- Term with k=6:
(66)(2x)0(−3)6=1⋅1⋅729=729
Watch the signs carefully! Since b=−3, odd powers of (−3) are negative while even powers are positive. A common mistake is to forget the negative sign or apply it inconsistently.
Collecting all seven terms in descending powers of x:
(2x−3)6=64x6−576x5+2160x4−4320x3+4860x2−2916x+729
The expansion is 64x6−576x5+2160x4−4320x3+4860x2−2916x+729.
Showing the 12 most recent of 31 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Total number of terms in the expansion of (x−y)9 is(a) 9(b) 10(c) 8(d) 11
›Reveal solutionSolution
By the binomial theorem, (a+b)n (or (a−b)n) always expands into exactly n+1 terms, with exponents of a running from n down to 0.
The binomial expansion is:
(x−y)n=∑r=0nnCrxn−r(−y)r
The index r runs from 0 to n inclusive, giving exactly n+1 terms. For n=9, the number of terms is 9+1=10.
✓Final answer(b) 10.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.r=0∑n2rnCr=?(a) 4n(b) 3n(c) 2n(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognise the sum as the binomial expansion (1+x)n=∑nCrxr with x=2.
The binomial theorem states:
(1+x)n=∑r=0nnCrxr
The given sum r=0∑n2rnCr matches this with x=2:
∑r=0nnCr2r=(1+2)n=3n
✓Final answer(b) 3n.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.There are 7 terms in the expansion of (x+a)n, then the value of n is —(a) 7(b) 6(c) 8(d) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
n=6, option (b).
By the binomial theorem, (x+a)n=∑r=0n(rn)xn−rar, which has exactly n+1 terms (for r=0,1,2,…,n).
Given the expansion has 7 terms: n+1=7⇒n=6.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (b) 6.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The number of terms in the expansion of (1 + x)⁴ + (1 - x)⁴ after simplification is:(a) 2(b) 3(c) 4(d) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Adding (1+x)⁴ and (1-x)⁴ cancels all odd-power terms, leaving only the even-power terms — 3 in total.
Expand both using the binomial theorem:
(1+x)4=1+4x+6x2+4x3+x4
(1−x)4=1−4x+6x2−4x3+x4
Adding:
(1+x)4+(1−x)4=2+12x2+2x4=2(1+6x2+x4)
All the odd-degree terms (4x, 4x3) cancel because they have opposite signs, leaving only the terms in x0,x2,x4 — three terms.
✓Final answerThe simplified expansion has 3 terms — option (b).
- CBSE 2026Set 1A1 markMCQQ.The coefficient of x8y10 in the expansion of (x+y)18 is -(1) 18C8(2) 18P10(3) 218(4) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Coefficient of x8y10 in (x+y)18 is 18C10=18C8.
General term: Tr+1=18Crx18−ryr. For x8y10 we need 18−r=8 and r=10, so the coefficient is 18C10. Since 18C10=18C18−10=18C8,
✓Final answerthe coefficient is 18C8, i.e. option (1).
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Find the 6th term of the expansion (54x−2x5)9.(a) x5040(b) x4050(c) x−5040(d) x−4050
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using Tr+1=9Cr(54x)9−r(−2x5)r with r=5 (for the 6th term) gives T6=x−5040.
The general term of (54x−2x5)9 is:
Tr+1=9Cr(54x)9−r(−2x5)r
For the 6th term, r+1=6⟹r=5.
9C5=126
(54x)4=625256x4
(−2x5)5=−32x53125
Multiplying:
T6=126×625256x4×(−32x53125)
=126×625×32256×3125×(−x1)
625×32256×3125=20000800000=40, so:
T6=126×40×(−x1)=−x5040
✓Final answer(c) x−5040
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find 4th term of the expansion of (x − 2y)^6.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The 4th term corresponds to r=3 in the binomial expansion of (x−2y)6.
For (x−2y)6, the general term is
Tr+1=6Crx6−r(−2y)r
For the 4th term, r=3:
T4=6C3x3(−2y)3=20⋅x3⋅(−8y3)=−160x3y3
(using 6C3=20 and (−2)3=−8)
✓Final answer4th term =−160x3y3.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Write the total number of terms in the expansion of (x+2)6.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The binomial expansion of (a+b)n has n+1 terms; for n=6 this gives 7 terms.
By the Binomial Theorem, (a+b)n=k=0∑nnCkan−kbk, which has terms for k=0,1,2,…,n — a total of n+1 terms.
For (x+2)6, n=6, so the number of terms is 6+1=7.
✓Final answerThe expansion of (x+2)6 has 7 terms.
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The number of terms in the expansion of (x2−2+x21)n is(a) 2n+1(b) 2n−1(c) n+1(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewrite the trinomial base as a perfect square of a binomial first — this turns the problem into a standard binomial expansion with 2n as the exponent.
Notice that:
x2−2+x21=(x−x1)2
(since (x−x1)2=x2−2⋅x⋅x1+x21=x2−2+x21).
So:
(x2−2+x21)n=(x−x1)2n
By the binomial theorem, the expansion of (a+b)m has exactly m+1 terms. Here m=2n, so the number of terms is:
2n+1
✓Final answer(a) 2n+1.
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The coefficient of x12 in the expansion of (x2+x1)12 is(a) 495(b) 66(c) 110(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Write the general term of the binomial expansion, find which term gives x12, then evaluate its coefficient.
The general term in the expansion of (x2+x1)12 is:
Tk+1=12Ck(x2)12−k(x1)k=12Ckx24−2kx−k=12Ckx24−3k
We want the power of x to be 12:
24−3k=12⟹3k=12⟹k=4
So the coefficient of x12 is:
12C4=4!8!12!=4×3×2×112×11×10×9=2411880=495
✓Final answer(a) 495.
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Find 5th term in binomial expansion of (x/3 - 3y)^7:(a) 105x^4y^3(b) 105x^3y^4(c) 105xy^6(d) 105x^6y
›Reveal solutionSolution
The 5th term corresponds to r=4 in the binomial expansion, giving 105x3y4.
General term: Tr+1=(r7)(3x)7−r(−3y)r.
For the 5th term, r+1=5⇒r=4:
T5=(47)(3x)3(−3y)4
(47)=35, (3x)3=27x3, (−3y)4=81y4.
T5=35×27x3×81y4=35×3×x3y4=105x3y4.
✓Final answer5th term = 105x3y4 — option (b).
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The number of terms in the expansion of (1+52x)9 is(a) 5(b) 7(c) 6(d) 10
›Reveal solutionSolution
A binomial raised to power n always expands into exactly n+1 terms; here n=9 gives 10 terms.
By the Binomial Theorem, (a+b)n=∑r=0nnCran−rbr, which runs from r=0 to r=n — that's n+1 terms in total.
Here n=9, so the number of terms is:
9+1=10
✓Final answer(d) 10.
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