Sigma Percentile
JEE Advanced 1991
LEVELJEE Main

Animated Solution for Mathematics - Binomial Theorem: Using induction or otherwise, prove that for any non-negative integers and ,

Visualized Solution

Defining the Sum

  • Let
  • We need to prove that

The Induction Strategy

  • We will use the Principle of Mathematical Induction on the variable .
  • Step 1: Prove the base case for .
  • Step 2: Assume true for .
  • Step 3: Prove true for .

Base Case: (LHS)

  • For , the sum has only one term where .
  • LHS
  • LHS

Base Case: (RHS)

  • Substitute into the RHS formula:
  • RHS
  • RHS
  • RHS
  • Since LHS RHS, the base case holds.

The Inductive Hypothesis

  • Assume the identity holds for some arbitrary non-negative integer .

The Sum for

  • Now, consider the sum up to .
  • We can split this as the sum up to , plus the -th term.

Substituting

  • Substitute the assumed expression for :

Factoring out the Common Term

  • Notice the common factorial term in both parts.
  • Let's factor out .
  • To do this, rewrite as .

Expanding and Grouping

  • Let's focus on the expression inside the square brackets.
  • Distribute and group terms with and terms without .
  • Inside bracket:

Simplifying the Brackets

  • Simplify the terms inside the brackets by taking common denominators.

Factoring

  • Both terms now have a common factor of .
  • Pull it out:

Final Algebraic Assembly

  • Multiply this back with the outside factor .

Conclusion of the Proof

  • The resulting expression is exactly the original RHS formula with replaced by .
  • Thus, if it holds for , it holds for .
  • By the Principle of Mathematical Induction, the identity is true for all non-negative integers .

The Sigma Insight: Properties of Binomial Coefficients

Welcome, fellow JEE warriors. Today, we are not just solving a problem; we are embarking on a journey through the elegant landscape of mathematical induction.
When you first look at the expression , it is natural to feel a surge of intimidation. It is a sum of factorials, a structure that often hides deep complexity.
But remember, in the world of JEE Advanced, intimidation is just a signal that you are about to learn something beautiful. Our mission is to prove that this sum simplifies to:

The Foundation

The Base Case
Every great structure needs a solid foundation. In induction, this is our base case, .
When we set , the summation collapses into a single term where . The left-hand side becomes , which simplifies to .
Now, we check the right-hand side. Substituting into the formula gives us:
Since , the terms cancel out, leaving us with . The base case holds! The first domino has fallen.

The Magic Key

The Inductive Hypothesis
Now, we move to the heart of the proof. We assume the identity holds for an arbitrary integer .
This is our Inductive Hypothesis:
Treat this as a given truth. It is the magic key that will unlock the next step. We are not just guessing; we are building a bridge to the next integer.

The Leap

The Inductive Step
This is where the real work happens. We want to find the sum up to , which we call .
Instead of starting from scratch, we use the recursive nature of the sum: , where is the -th term. Substituting our hypothesis for and adding the -th term, we get a long, complex expression.
Do not panic. This is where the algebra becomes an art form. We notice that both parts of our expression contain . By adjusting the denominators to match, we can factor out .
Inside the brackets, we are left with:

The Grand Finale

Algebraic Harmony
Now, we focus on the expression inside the brackets. We distribute the and group the terms containing and the terms that do not.
This is a standard, powerful maneuver. After grouping, we find that both parts share a common factor of .
When we factor this out, the expression inside the bracket becomes:
Finally, we combine the with the factorial term outside. Since , our expression transforms into:
This is exactly the original formula with replaced by . The proof is complete. The dominoes have fallen in perfect sequence.
Remember, math is not about memorizing steps; it is about seeing the patterns and trusting the logic. You have just conquered a complex identity. Keep practicing, keep questioning, and most importantly, keep falling in love with the process.

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(A)
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(B)
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