The Beauty of Binomial Symmetry
Welcome, aspiring engineer! Today, we are going to dive deep into the world of binomial expansions. This problem is not just about finding a coefficient; it is about mastering the art of algebraic manipulation and recognizing the hidden symmetry in binomial coefficients.
Imagine you are standing before a massive, complex expression like (ax2+2bx1)11. It looks intimidating, doesn't it? But remember, every complex problem is just a collection of simple, elegant steps waiting to be uncovered.
Our first goal is to find the coefficient of x7. We use the general term formula:
Tr+1=(r11)(ax2)11−r(2bx1)r
By isolating the variable x, we find the exponent 22−3r. Setting this to 7, we find r=5. This is the key!
Now, we move to the second expression (ax−3bx21)11. We repeat the process, finding r=6 for x−7. The magic happens when we equate the two coefficients.
Using the property (511)=(611), we see the combinations vanish, leaving us with a simple algebraic equation. This is the beauty of mathematics—the most complex expressions often simplify into something elegant and manageable.
The Hunt for the Coefficient
Let us break down the first expression: (ax2+2bx1)11. We are hunting for the coefficient of x7.
Using the general term formula Tr+1=(r11)(ax2)11−r(2bx1)r, we separate the constants from the variables. The variable part becomes:
x2(11−r)⋅x−r=x22−2r−r=x22−3r
We set 22−3r=7, which gives 3r=15, so r=5. Substituting r=5 back into the constant part, we get:
C1=(511)a6(2b1)5=(511)32b5a6
This is our first coefficient. It feels like we have done a lot of work, but we are only halfway there!
The Second Expression and the Grand Equivalence
Now, we turn to the second expression: (ax−3bx21)11. We need the coefficient of x−7.
The general term is Tr+1=(r11)(ax)11−r(−3bx21)r. Again, isolating the variable x, we get:
x11−r⋅(x−2)r=x11−r−2r=x11−3r
We set 11−3r=−7, which gives 3r=18, so r=6. Substituting r=6 into the constant part, we get:
C2=(611)a5(−3b1)6=(611)729b6a5
Now, the problem states that C1=C2. We equate them:
(511)32b5a6=(611)729b6a5
Here is where the elegance of the binomial theorem shines. Because (511)=(611), these terms cancel out completely! We are left with:
Cross-multiplying gives 729a6b6=32a5b5. Dividing both sides by a5b5, we arrive at the final, beautiful result:
729ab=32
You have successfully navigated the complexity and found the truth hidden within the algebra. Keep this mindset, and no JEE problem will ever be too daunting!