Chapter 4: Further Algebra 16

Chapter 4: Further Algebra

1. Binomial Expansion for Rational or Negative Integer Indices

Recall that if 𝑛𝑛 is a positive integer, we have the following expansion:

𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛
(𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏)𝑛𝑛 = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 + � � 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−1 𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛 + � � 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−2 𝑏𝑏 2 + ⋯ + � � 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−𝑟𝑟 𝑏𝑏 𝑟𝑟 + ⋯ + 𝑏𝑏 𝑛𝑛
1 2 𝑟𝑟
The (𝑟𝑟 + 1)th-term of the above series is given by 𝑇𝑇𝑟𝑟+1 = �𝑛𝑛𝑟𝑟�𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛−𝑟𝑟 𝑏𝑏 𝑟𝑟 .
If 𝑛𝑛 is a non-integer rational index or a negative integer, we have the following expansion:
𝑛𝑛(𝑛𝑛 − 1) 2 𝑛𝑛(𝑛𝑛 − 1)(𝑛𝑛 − 𝑟𝑟 + 1) 𝑟𝑟
(1 + 𝑥𝑥)𝑛𝑛 = 1 + 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 + 𝑥𝑥 + ⋯ + 𝑥𝑥 + ⋯ , valid for |𝑥𝑥| < 1.
2! 𝑟𝑟!
Note that this last series is an infinite series and has a range of validity.

The following partial fraction decomposition is sometimes useful in decomposing a fraction into
sum of simpler fractions.
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) 𝐴𝐴 𝐵𝐵
≡ +
(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏)(𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 + 𝑑𝑑) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑥𝑥 + 𝑑𝑑
𝑔𝑔(𝑥𝑥) 𝐴𝐴 𝐵𝐵 𝐶𝐶
≡ + +
(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏)(𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 + 𝑑𝑑)2 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 + 𝑑𝑑 (𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 + 𝑑𝑑)2
ℎ(𝑥𝑥) 𝐴𝐴 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶
≡ + 2
(𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏)(𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐 ) 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 𝑏𝑏 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐 2
2 2

Example 4.1: Find the first four terms in the expansion of (1 + 2𝑥𝑥 2 )−4 and state the range of values
of 𝑥𝑥 for which the expansion is valid.

Solution: With 𝑛𝑛 = −4 and replacing 𝑥𝑥 by 2𝑥𝑥 2 in the formula, we have

(−4)(−5) (−4)(−5)(−6)
(1 + 2𝑥𝑥 2 )−4 = 1 + (−4)(2𝑥𝑥 2 ) + (2𝑥𝑥 2 )2 + (2𝑥𝑥 2 )3 + ⋯
2! 3!
= 1 − 8𝑥𝑥 2 + 40𝑥𝑥 4 − 160𝑥𝑥 6 + ⋯
1
The expansion is value for |2𝑥𝑥 2 | < 1, or equivalently |𝑥𝑥| < .
√2

1−3𝑥𝑥
Example 4.2: Find the coefficient of 𝑥𝑥 2 in the expansion of .
√4−𝑥𝑥

Solution: We have
1 − 3𝑥𝑥 1
= (1 − 3𝑥𝑥)(4 − 𝑥𝑥)−2
√4 − 𝑥𝑥
1
−
1 𝑥𝑥 −2
= (1 − 3𝑥𝑥)(4) 2 �1 − �
4
1 3
1 1 𝑥𝑥 �− � �− �
2 �− 𝑥𝑥 � + ⋯ �
2
= (1 − 3𝑥𝑥) �1 + �− � �− � + 2
2 2 4 2! 4
1 1 3 2
= (1 − 3𝑥𝑥) �1 + 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 + ⋯ �
2 8 128
1 3 3 1 45
Therefore, the coefficient of 𝑥𝑥 2 is × − × =− .
2 128 2 8 256
 Chapter 4: Further Algebra 17

5𝑥𝑥 2 +4𝑥𝑥+5
Example 4.3: Expand (2𝑥𝑥+1)(𝑥𝑥 2 in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the term in 𝑥𝑥 2 .
+4)
Also, find the range of validity of this series.

Solution: Expressing in partial fractions,

5𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 5 𝐴𝐴 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶 𝐴𝐴(𝑥𝑥 2 + 4) + (𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝐶𝐶)(2𝑥𝑥 + 1)
= + =
(2𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 2 + 4) 2𝑥𝑥 + 1 𝑥𝑥 2 + 4 (2𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 2 + 4)
Next, either by comparing coefficients or inserting suitable values of 𝑥𝑥, we obtain:
5𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 5 1 2𝑥𝑥 + 1
= + 2
(2𝑥𝑥 + 1)(𝑥𝑥 + 4) 2𝑥𝑥 + 1 𝑥𝑥 + 4
2

Therefore, we need to find the expansion:

−1
1 𝑥𝑥 2
(1 + 2𝑥𝑥)−1 + (2𝑥𝑥 + 1)(4 + 𝑥𝑥 2 )−1 = [1 − 2𝑥𝑥 + 4𝑥𝑥 2 + ⋯ ] + (2𝑥𝑥 − 1) �1 + �
4 4
1 𝑥𝑥 2
= [1 − 2𝑥𝑥 + 4𝑥𝑥 2 + ⋯ ] + (2𝑥𝑥 − 1) �1 − + ⋯ �
4 4
3 3 65 2
= − 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 + ⋯
4 2 16
𝑥𝑥 2
The above expansion is valid when −1 < 2𝑥𝑥 < 1 and −1 < < 1. Intersecting these two intervals,
4
1 1
we obtain − < 𝑥𝑥 < as the range of validity.
2 2

Exercise 4A

1. Find the first three terms in the expansion of (2 − 𝑥𝑥)−1 (1 + 3𝑥𝑥)−2 , stating the range of values
of 𝑥𝑥 for which this expansion is valid.
1 11 97 1
Ans: − 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑥𝑥 2 , |𝑥𝑥| < .
2 4 8 3

2. In the expansion of √3 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎, where 𝑎𝑎 ≠ 0, the coefficient of the term in 𝑥𝑥 2 is 3 times the
coefficient of the term in 𝑥𝑥 3 . Find the value of 𝑎𝑎.
Ans: 𝑎𝑎 = −2.

7𝑥𝑥−1 7𝑥𝑥−1
3. Express (1−𝑥𝑥)(1+2𝑥𝑥) in partial fractions. Hence obtain the expansion of (1−𝑥𝑥)(1+2𝑥𝑥) in ascending
powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the term in 𝑥𝑥 3 .
2 3
Ans: − , − 1 + 8𝑥𝑥 − 10𝑥𝑥 2 + 26𝑥𝑥 3 .
1−𝑥𝑥 1+2𝑥𝑥

7𝑥𝑥 2 +4𝑥𝑥+4 7𝑥𝑥 2 +4𝑥𝑥+4

4. Express (1−𝑥𝑥)(2𝑥𝑥 2 in partial fractions. Hence obtain the expansion of (1−𝑥𝑥)(2𝑥𝑥 2 in ascending
+1) +1)
powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the term in 𝑥𝑥 3 .
5 3𝑥𝑥−1 2 3
Ans: + 2 , 4 + 8𝑥𝑥 + 7𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥 .
1−𝑥𝑥 1+2𝑥𝑥
 Chapter 4: Further Algebra 18

Exam-Style Practice 4: Further Algebra

3
1. (O/N 2016 P31) Expand (2 − 𝑥𝑥)(1 + 2𝑥𝑥)−2 in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the
term in 𝑥𝑥 2 , simplifying the coefficients. [4]

1+3𝑥𝑥
2. (M/J 2013 P31) Expand in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥 up to and including the term in 𝑥𝑥 2 ,
√1+2𝑥𝑥
simplifying the coefficients. [4]

4𝑥𝑥 2 +12
3. (M/J 2016 P31) Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = (𝑥𝑥+1)(𝑥𝑥−3)2 .
(i) Express 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in partial fractions. [5]
(ii) Hence obtain the expansion of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the term
in 𝑥𝑥 2 . [5]

2𝑥𝑥 2 −7𝑥𝑥−1
4. (O/N 2013 P31) let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = (𝑥𝑥−2)(𝑥𝑥 2 .
+3)
(i) Express 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in partial fractions. [5]
(ii) Hence obtain the expansion of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the term
in 𝑥𝑥 2 . [5]

3𝑥𝑥
5. (O/N 2010 P31) Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = (1+𝑥𝑥)(1+2𝑥𝑥 2 ).
(i) Express 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in partial fractions. [5]
(ii) Hence obtain the expansion of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the term
in 𝑥𝑥 3 . [5]

6. (M/J 2012 P31)

1
(i) Expand in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the term in 𝑥𝑥 2 , simplifying the
√1−4𝑥𝑥
coefficients. [3]
1+2𝑥𝑥
(ii) Hence find the coefficient of 𝑥𝑥 2 in the expansion of . [2]
√4−16𝑥𝑥

7. (O/N 2012 P31) When (1 − 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎)−2 , where 𝑎𝑎 is a positive constant, is expanded in ascending
powers of 𝑥𝑥, the coefficients of 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑥𝑥 3 are equal.
(i) Find the exact value of 𝑎𝑎. [4]
2
(ii) When 𝑎𝑎 has this value, obtain the expansion up to and including the term in 𝑥𝑥 , simplifying
the coefficients. [3]

𝑥𝑥 2 −8𝑥𝑥+9
8. (O/N 2014 P31) Let 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = (1−𝑥𝑥)(2−𝑥𝑥)2 .
(i) Express 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in partial fractions. [5]
(ii) Hence obtain the expansion of 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) in ascending powers of 𝑥𝑥, up to and including the term
in 𝑥𝑥 2 .