Analyzing the Setup
We are tasked with evaluating two statements involving binomial coefficients. Statement-1 asks us to verify the identity:
r=0∑n(r+1)nCr=(n+2)2n−1
Statement-2 provides a general polynomial identity:
r=0∑n(r+1)nCrxr=(1+x)n+nx(1+x)n−1
Our goal is to verify both and demonstrate that Statement-2 serves as the logical foundation for Statement-1.
The Foundation
The Standard Expansion
Every great journey in binomial series begins with the standard expansion:
(1 + x)^n = \sum_{r=0}^n ^nC_r x^r
This is our bedrock. When we observe the term (r+1) multiplying the binomial coefficient in Statement-2, it serves as a clear hint that the original expansion has been transformed via calculus.
The Calculus Key
Bringing Down the Index
Whenever an index r multiplies a binomial coefficient, our intuition should immediately suggest differentiation. Differentiating xr with respect to x brings the power r down as a coefficient.
Starting with our base identity (1 + x)^n = \sum_{r=0}^n ^nC_r x^r, we differentiate both sides with respect to x:
\frac{d}{dx} (1 + x)^n = \frac{d}{dx} \sum_{r=0}^n ^nC_r x^r
n(1+x)n−1=r=1∑nrnCrxr−1
Note that the summation index now starts at r=1 because the r=0 term is a constant, which vanishes upon differentiation. To align the powers of x, we multiply both sides by x:
The Final Synthesis
Combining the Pieces
We now examine the left-hand side of Statement-2: ∑r=0n(r+1)nCrxr. We can decompose this into two separate summations:
\sum_{r=0}^n r ^nC_r x^r + \sum_{r=0}^n ^nC_r x^r
The second part is our original expansion (1+x)n. The first part is the expression we derived via differentiation: nx(1+x)n−1. Adding these yields:
This confirms that Statement-2 is true.
The Bridge
From Polynomial to Numerical
Statement-1 is simply a specific case of Statement-2. By setting x=1 in our verified identity, the left side becomes ∑r=0n(r+1)nCr, which is the sum in Statement-1.
Substituting x=1 into the right side of Statement-2 gives:
(1+1)n+n(1)(1+1)n−1=2n+n2n−1
Factoring out 2n−1, we obtain:
This matches the expression in Statement-1 perfectly. We have successfully proven that both statements are true and that Statement-2 is the logical foundation for Statement-1.