Binomial Expansion

Coach Name: Sir Muhammad Abdullah Shah

Edexcel IAL June 2024 P4 (WMA14/01) Q8 Binomial Expansion & Proof by Contradiction
\[f(x) = (8 – 3x)^{\frac{4}{3}} \quad 0 < x < \frac{8}{3}\](a) Show that the binomial expansion of f(x) in ascending powers of x up to and including the term in \(x^{3}\) is

\[A-8x+\frac{x^{2}}{2}+Bx^{3}+…\]

where A and B are constants to be found.(4)

(b) Use proof by contradiction to prove that the curve with equation

\[y=8+8x-\frac{15}{2}x^{2}\]

does not intersect the curve with equation

\[y = A – 8x + \frac{x^{2}}{2} + Bx^2 \quad 0 < x < \frac{8}{3}\]

where A and B are the constants found in part (a).

(Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable.)(4)

Solution to Part a: Show that the binomial expansion of \(f(x)\) is \(A-8x+\frac{x^{2}}{2}+Bx^{3}+…\)
Key Concepts Used
  1. Algebraic Preparation: Factor out 8.
  2. General Binomial Expansion Formula for \(n=4/3\).
  3. Coefficient Matching.
Step-by-Step Solution
  1. Prepare the expression

    Let’s factor out 8.

    \[(8-3x)^{\frac{4}{3}}=\left[8\left(1-\frac{3}{8}x\right)\right]^{\frac{4}{3}}=8^{\frac{4}{3}}\left(1-\frac{3}{8}x\right)^{\frac{4}{3}}\]

    Where,

    \[8^{\frac{4}{3}}=({\sqrt[4]{8}})^{4}=2^{4}=16\]
    \[f(x)=16\left(1+\left(-\frac{3}{8}x\right)\right)^{\frac{4}{3}}\]

  2. Identify \(n\) and \(X\)
    \(n=\frac{4}{3}\) and \(X=-\frac{3}{8}x\).
  3. Calculate the terms for \((1+X)^{n}\) using binomial expansion formula:
    \[(1+x)^{n} = x^{0} + nx + \frac{n(n-1)}{2!}x^{2} + \frac{n(n-1)(n-2)}{3!}x^{3} + …\]

    -Term in \( x^0 \):

    \[ 1 \]

    -Term in \( x^1 \):

    \[ nx = \frac{4}{3}\left(-\frac{3}{8}\right) = -\frac{1}{2}x \]

    -Term in \( x^2 \):

    \[\frac{n(n-1)}{2!}X^{2} = \frac{\left( \frac{4}{3} \right) \left( \frac{1}{3} \right)}{2} \left( -\frac{3}{8}x \right)^{2} = \frac{2}{9} \left( \frac{9}{64}x^{2} \right) = \frac{1}{32}x^{2}\]

    -Term in \( x^3 \):

    \[\frac{n(n-1)(n-2)}{3!}X^{3} = \frac{\left( \frac{4}{3} \right) \left( \frac{1}{3} \right) \left( -\frac{2}{3} \right)}{6} \left( -\frac{3}{8}x \right)^{3} = -\frac{4}{81} \left( \frac{27}{512}x^{3} \right) = \frac{1}{384}x^{3}\]

  4. Multiply by 16:
    \[16 \left( 1 – \frac{1}{2}x + \frac{1}{32}x^{2} + \frac{1}{384}x^{3} + … \right) = 16 – 8x + \frac{1}{2}x^{2} + \frac{1}{24}x^{3} + …\]
  5. Identify \(A\) and \(B\):
    Comparing \(16 – 8x + \frac{1}{2}x^{2} + \frac{1}{24}x^{3} + …\) with \(A – 8x + \frac{x^{2}}{2} + Bx^{3} + …\):
    \[A = 16 \otimes B = \frac{1}{24}\]

    Comparing \(16 – 8x + \frac{1}{2}x^{2} + \frac{1}{24}x^{3} + …\) with \(A – 8x + \frac{x^{2}}{2} + Bx^{3} + …\):
    \[A = 16 \otimes B = \frac{1}{24}\]

Final Answer
\[f(x) \approx 16 – 8x + \frac{x^{2}}{2} + \frac{1}{64}x^{3} + …\text{ where } A = 16 \text{ and } B = \frac{1}{24}\]
Final Answer
\[f(x) \approx 16 – 8x + \frac{x^{2}}{2} + \frac{1}{64}x^{3} + \dots\]

\[
\text{ where } A = 16 \text{ and } B = \frac{1}{24}
\]
Solution to Part b: Use proof by contradiction to prove the curves do not intersect.
Key Concepts Used
  1. Proof by Contradiction: Assume the curves intersect, meaning \(y_{1} = y_{2}\).
  2. Algebraic Manipulation: Rearrange the resulting equation to show a contradiction.

Step-by-Step Solution
  1. Form the Assumption

    Assume the two curves intersect for some value of \(x\) in the domain
    \(0 < x < \frac{8}{3}\):

    \[y_{1} = 8 + 8x – \frac{15}{2}x^{2}\]
    \[y_{2} = 16 – 8x + \frac{1}{2}x^{2} + \frac{1}{24}x^{3}\]
  2. Equate the two functions (\(y_{1}=y_{2}\))

    \[8+8x-\frac{15}{2}x^{2}=16-8x+\frac{1}{2}x^{2}+\frac{1}{24}x^{3}\]
  3. Rearrange to set equal to zero

    Gather terms on the right-hand side (or multiply by 24 to clear fractions)

    \[0=\frac{1}{24}x^{3}+\left(\frac{1}{2}x^{2}+\frac{15}{2}x^{2}\right)-16x+8\]
    \[0=\frac{1}{24}x^{3}+8x^{2}-16x+8\]
    \[\frac{1}{24}x^{3}+8(x^{2}-2x+1)=0\]
    \[\frac{1}{24}x^{3}+8(x-1)^{2}=0\]
  4. Identify the Contradiction

    We are given that \(x\) is positive (\(0<x<\frac{8}{3}\)).

    \[\frac{1}{24}x^{3}>0\]
    \[8(x-1)^{2}\geq 0\]

    Therefore,

    \[\frac{1}{24}x^{3}+8(x-1)^{2}>0\]

    This cannot equal zero, giving a contradiction.

Final Answer
Since the assumption \(y_{1}=y_{2}\) leads to the requirement that
\(\frac{1}{24}x^{3}+8(x-1)^{2}=0\), but for all \(x>0\) the expression is
strictly positive, this gives a contradiction. Therefore, the curves do not
intersect in the given range.