Binomial Theorem · Guided Practice

Binomial Theorem

11 questions with answers and video solutions. Try each one before revealing the answer.

1
Use the binomial theorem to expand and simplify (2x−y)5\displaystyle (2x-y)^{5}.
Video solution coming soon

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

2
2017 Q1
4 Marks

Write down the binomial expansion of (2y2−5y)3\displaystyle \left(\frac{2}{y^2}-5y\right)^3 and simplify your answer.

Video solution coming soon
3
(a) Write down and simplify the general term in the binomial expansion of (2x−3x)12\displaystyle \left(\frac{2}{x}-3x\right)^{12}.
(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the coefficient of the term in x8\displaystyle x^8.
Video solution coming soon

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

4
(a) Write down and simplify the general term in the binomial expansion of (5x+2x2)9\displaystyle \left(5x+\frac{2}{x^2}\right)^{9}.
(b) Hence, or otherwise, find the term that is independent of x\displaystyle x.
Video solution coming soon

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

5
(a) Find and simplify the general term in the binomial expansion of (3x2−ax3)6\displaystyle \left(3x^2-\frac{a}{x^3}\right)^{6}, where a>0\displaystyle a > 0 is a constant.
(b) Given that the coefficient of x2\displaystyle x^2 is 19,440\displaystyle 19,440, find the value of a\displaystyle a.
Video solution coming soon

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

6
Use the binomial theorem to determine the exact value of 1.024\displaystyle 1.02^{4}.
Video solution coming soon

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

7
Determine the coefficient of x3\displaystyle x^3 in the expansion of (1+x4)(2−x)5\displaystyle \left(1+\frac{x}{4}\right)(2-x)^5.
Video solution coming soon

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

8
2019 Q9
(3, 2)5 Marks

(a)Write down and simplify the general term in the binomial expansion of

(2x2−dx3)7\displaystyle \left(2x^2 - \frac{d}{x^3}\right)^7,

where d\displaystyle d is a constant.

(b)Given that the coefficient of 1x\displaystyle \frac{1}{x} is −70 000\displaystyle -70\ 000, find the value of d.\displaystyle d.

Video solution coming soon
9
2023 P2 Q5
(3, 2)5 Marks

(a)Write down and simplify the general term in the binomial expansion of (3x−2x2)8.\displaystyle \left(3x-\frac{2}{x^2}\right)^8.

(b)Hence, or otherwise, determine the coefficient of x−1.\displaystyle x^{-1}.

10
2025 P1 Q1
4 Marks

Use the binomial theorem to expand (1x−3x)4.\displaystyle \left(\frac{1}{x} - 3x\right)^4.
Simplify your answer.

11
2026 P2 Q2
4 Marks

Write down the binomial expansion of

(x2−5x)4\displaystyle \left(x^{2}-\frac{5}{x}\right)^{4}

and simplify your answer.

Keep practising

More binomial theorem questions

New questions, modelled on past paper questions and checked against their marking instructions. Not reprints — you have not seen these before.

Practice questions courtesy of Maths.scot. Full written solutions are on his site — the links above go straight to them.