The number of terms in the expansion of $\left(y^{1 / 5}+x^{1 / 10}\right)^{55}$, in which powers of $x$ and…

The number of terms in the expansion of $\left(y^{1 / 5}+x^{1 / 10}\right)^{55}$, in which powers of $x$ and $y$ are free from radical signs are
  1. $\operatorname{six}$
  2. twelve
  3. seven
  4. five

Solution

Given expansion is $\left(y^{1 / 5}+x^{1 / 10}\right)^{55}$ The general term is $ T_{r+1}={ }^{55} \mathrm{C}_r\left(y^{1 / 5}\right)^{55-r} \cdot\left(x^{\frac{1}{10}}\right)^r $ $T_{r+1}$ would free from radical sign if powers of $y$ and $x$ are integers. i.e. $\frac{55-r}{5}$ and $\frac{r}{10}$ are integer. $\Rightarrow r$ is multiple of 10 . Hence, $r=0,10,20,30,40,50$ It is an A.P. Thus, $50=0+(k-1) 10$ $50=10 k-10 \Rightarrow k=6$ Thus, the six terms of the given expansion in which $x$ and $y$ are free from radical signs

Asked in: JEE Main 2012 (12 May Online)

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