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Q2. Find a if the coefficients of $x^2$ and $x^3$ in the expansion of $(3 + ax)^9$ are equal.

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As we know that the general $(r+1)^{th}$ term $T_{r+1}$ in the binomial expansion of $(a+b)^n$ is given by

$T_{r+1}=^nC_ra^{n-r}b^r$

So, the general $(r+1)^{th}$ term $T_{r+1}$ in the binomial expansion of $(3 + ax)^9$ is

$T_{r+1}=^nC_r3^{n-r}(ax)^r=^nC_r3^{n-r}a^rx^r$

Now, $x^2$ will come when $r=2$ and $x^3$ will come when $r=3$

So, the coefficient of $x^2$ is

$K_{x^2}=^nC_23^{9-2}a^2=^nC_23^7a^2$

And the coefficient of $x^3$ is

$K_{x^3}=^9C_33^{9-3}a^2=^9C_33^6a^3$

Now, given in the question,

$K_{x^2}=K_{x^3}$

$^9C_23^7a^2=^9C_33^6a^3$

$\frac{9!}{2!7!}\times3=\frac{9!}{3!6!}\times a$

$a=\frac{18}{14}=\frac{9}{7}$

Hence, the value of a is 9/7.

Posted by

Pankaj Sanodiya

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