If for positive integers $r>1, n>2$, the coefficients of the $(3 r)^{\text {th }}$ and $(r+2)^{\text {th }}$…

If for positive integers $r>1, n>2$, the coefficients of the $(3 r)^{\text {th }}$ and $(r+2)^{\text {th }}$ powers of $x$ in the expansion of $(1+x)^{2 n}$ are equal, then $n$ is equal to:
  1. $2 r+1$
  2. $2 r-1$
  3. $3 r$
  4. $r+1$

Solution

Expansion of $(1+x)^{2 n}$ is $1+{ }^{2 n} \mathrm{C}_1 x+{ }^{2 n} \mathrm{C}_2 x^2$ $+\ldots \ldots .+{ }^{2 n} \mathrm{C}_r x^n+{ }^{2 n} \mathrm{C}_{r+1} x^{n+1}+\ldots \ldots+{ }^{2 n} \mathrm{C}_{2 n} x^{2 n}$ As given ${ }^{2 n} \mathrm{C}_{r+2}={ }^{2 n} \mathrm{C}_{3 r}$ $ \begin{aligned} &\Rightarrow \frac{(2 n) !}{(r+2) !(2 n-r-2) !}=\frac{(2 n) !}{(3 r) !(2 n-3 r) !} \\ &\Rightarrow(3 r) !(2 n-3 r) !=(r+2) !(2 n-r-2) ! \end{aligned} $ Now, put value of $n$ from the given choices. Choice (a) put $n=2 r+1$ in (1) LHS : $(3 r) !(4 r+2-3 r) !=(3 r) !(r+2) !$ RHS : $(r+2) !(3 r) !$ $ \Rightarrow \text { LHS }=\text { RHS } $

Asked in: JEE Main 2013 (25 Apr Online)

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