Medium MCQ +4 / -1 PYQ · JEE Mains 2024

If the coefficients of $x^4, x^5$ and $x^6$ in the expansion of $(1+x)^n$ are in the arithmetic progression, then the maximum value of $n$ is:

  1. A 28
  2. B 21
  3. C 7
  4. D 14 Correct answer

Solution

<p>$$\begin{aligned} & (1+x)^n={ }^n C_0+{ }^n C_1 x^1+{ }^n C_2 x^2+\ldots{ }^n C_n x^n \\ & { }^n C_4,{ }^n C_5 \&{ }^n C_6 \text { are in A.P. } \\ & { }^n C_5-{ }^n C_4={ }^n C_6-{ }^n C_5 \\ & \Rightarrow \frac{n!}{5!(n-5)!}-\frac{n!}{4!(n-4)!}=\frac{n!}{6!(n-6)!}-\frac{n!}{5!(n-5)!} \\ & \Rightarrow 30(n-9)(n-6)=5(n-4)(n-11) \\ & \Rightarrow 30 n^2-450 n+1620=5 n^2 \\ & \Rightarrow \frac{1}{n-5}\left[\frac{n-4-5}{5(n-4)}\right]=\frac{1}{5}\left[\frac{n-5-6}{6(n-5)}\right] \\ & \Rightarrow \frac{n-9}{5(n-4)}=\frac{1}{5}\left[\frac{n-11}{6}\right] \\ & \Rightarrow n^2-21 n+98=0 \\ & n_{\max }=14 \end{aligned}$$</p>

About this question

Subject: Mathematics · Chapter: Binomial Theorem · Topic: Binomial Expansion

This question is part of PrepWiser's free JEE Main question bank. 193 more solved questions on Binomial Theorem are available — start with the harder ones if your accuracy is >70%.

Drill 25 more like these. Every day. Free.

PrepWiser turns these solved questions into a daily practice loop. Chapter-wise drills, full mocks, AI doubt chat. No auto-renew.

Start free →