The smallest natural number $n$ , such that the coefficient of $x$ in the expansion of…

The smallest natural number $n$ , such that the coefficient of $x$ in the expansion of $\left(x^2+\frac{1}{x^3}\right)^n$ is $C_{23}^n$ , is
  1. 58
  2. 38
  3. 35
  4. 23

Solution

In the expansion of $(x^2 + \frac{1}{x^3})^n$ the general term is $T_{r+1} = C_{r}^{n} x^{2n-r} (\frac{1}{x^3})^r$ $= C_{r}^{n} x^{2n-2r-3r} = C_{r}^{n} x^{2n-5r}$ For coefficient of $x$, $2n-5r = 1$ $\Rightarrow r = \frac{2n-1}{5}$ So, we have the coefficient as $C_{\frac{2n-1}{5}}^{n}$ Using, the given value and $C_{r}^{n} = C_{n-r}^{n}$ $\Rightarrow C_{\frac{2n-1}{5}}^{n} = C_{23}^{n} = C_{n-23}^{n}$ If $\frac{2n-1}{5} = 23 \Rightarrow n = 58$ and if $\frac{2n-1}{5} = n-23 \Rightarrow n = 38$ Thus, the minimum value of 'n' is 38.

Asked in: JEE Main 2019 (10 Apr Shift 2)

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