Analyzing the Setup
Imagine you are standing before a complex expression: (2xr+x−2)10. It looks like a chaotic mess of powers and variables, but in the world of JEE Advanced, we look for the underlying order.
The Binomial Theorem is our telescope, allowing us to zoom into any specific term without having to expand the entire expression. Our goal is to find the value of r that makes the constant term equal to 180.
The Master Key
The General Term
To unlock this, we use the General Term formula:
Tk+1=(kn)an−kbk
This formula is the master key for all such problems. In our case, n=10, a=2xr, and b=x−2.
When we substitute these into the formula, we get:
Tk+1=(k10)(2xr)10−k(x−2)k
This is where the magic happens. We separate the expression into a numerical coefficient part, (k10)210−k, and a variable part, xr(10−k)−2k.
The Power of Zero
Now, we address the core of the problem: the constant term. A constant term is, by definition, independent of x.
This means the exponent of
x must be zero. We set the exponent to zero:
r(10−k)−2k=0
This gives us a beautiful, simple relationship:
r=10−k2k
This is our bridge. We know that if we find k, we find r.
The Final Lock
Solving for k
We are told the constant term is
180. We take our numerical coefficient part and set it equal to
180:
(k10)210−k=180
Since
k must be an integer between
0 and
10, we can test values. Let's try
k=8:
(810)210−8=(210)22=45×4=180
It matches perfectly! With
k=8 confirmed, we return to our bridge:
r=10−82(8)=216=8
And there it is: r=8. The chaos has been tamed, and the order revealed.