If $a_k$ is the coefficient of $x^k$ in the expansion of $\left(1+x+x^2\right)^n$ for $k=0,1,2, \ldots, 2 n$…

If $a_k$ is the coefficient of $x^k$ in the expansion of $\left(1+x+x^2\right)^n$ for $k=0,1,2, \ldots, 2 n$, then $a_1+2 a_2+3 a_3+\ldots+2 n a_{2 n}$ is equal to
  1. $-a_0$
  2. $3^n$
  3. $n \cdot 3^{n+1}$
  4. $n \cdot 3^n$

Solution

We have, $\begin{aligned}\left(1+x+x^2\right)^n=a_0+a_1 x+a_2 x^2+a_3 x^3 & +\ldots \\ & +a_{2 \pi} x^{2 n}\end{aligned}$ On differentiating both sides, we get $\begin{array}{r}n\left(1+x+x^2\right)^{n-1}(1+2 x)=a_1+2 a_2 x+3 a_3 x \\ +\ldots \ldots+2 n a_{2 n} x^{2 n-1}\end{array}$ Now, putting $x=1$, we get $\begin{aligned} & n(3)^{n-1} \cdot(3)=a_1+2 a_2+3 a_3+\ldots+2 n a_{2 n} \\ & \Rightarrow \quad a_1+2 a_2+3 a_3+\ldots+2 n a_{2 n}=n \cdot 3^n\end{aligned}$

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2007

Practice more Methods of Induction and Binomial Theorem questions on Aicharya