FAD1014: MATHEMATICS II — Tutorial 11
Centre for Foundation Studies in Science, Universiti Malaya
Session 2025/2026
BINOMIAL THEOREM
Question 1: Simplify Factorials
Simplify the following:
(a) $\frac{(n+1)!}{(n-1)!} - n!$
(b) $(n+2)!$
Question 2: Solve for n
Find the appropriate value(s) for $n$ satisfying $(n + 1)! + n! = 72(n - 1)!$.
Question 3: Pascal's Triangle Expansion
Expand $(p - 2q)^5$ using Pascal's triangle.
Question 4: Binomial Theorem Expansion
Expand $\left(x - \frac{2}{x}\right)^6$ using Binomial's Theorem.
Question 5: Find Coefficient
Find the coefficient of $x^{15}$ in the expansion of $\left(x^2 - \frac{2}{x}\right)^{10}$.
Question 6: Binomial Expansion Application
Determine $(2 + x)^5$.
(a) From expansion above, find $(2 - x)^5$.
(b) Hence, evaluate $(2.1)^5 - (1.9)^5$ correct to two decimal places.
Question 7: Series Expansion
Find the first four terms in the expansion of the following functions in ascending powers of $x$ and state the range of convergence values of $x$ for which the expansion is valid:
(a) $\frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - 2x}}$
(b) $(8 - x)^{-1/3}$
Question 8: Function Approximation
Let the following radical functions be given:
$$\sqrt{1 - \frac{x}{3}}, \quad \sqrt{2 + x}, \quad \sqrt{1 + 4x}, \quad \sqrt{4 - \frac{x}{2}}$$
Suggest the most suitable function from the list to approximate $\sqrt{2}$ and justify.
Question 9: Approximation Using Series
Expand $\sqrt{1 - x}$ as a series in ascending powers of $x$ up to the term $x^3$ and state the range of convergence values of $x$. Hence, approximate $\sqrt{0.98}$, giving to five decimal places. Compare your answer with calculator's.
Question 10: Partial Fractions and Expansion
Let the function be: $$f(x) = \frac{x + 7}{x^2 - x - 6}$$
(a) Express $f(x)$ in its partial fraction form.
(b) Determine the first four terms of expansion for $f(x)$ and state the range of convergence of values of $x$.
POWER SERIES: TAYLOR & MACLAURIN SERIES
Question 1: Taylor Series
Find the first four nonzero terms of Taylor series for the given function below expanded about the given value of $a$.
(a) $f(x) = \cos x$ ; $a = \frac{\pi}{3}$
(b) $f(x) = \frac{1}{1+x}$ ; $a = 0$
(c) $f(x) = \ln(3 + x)$ ; $a = 1$
Question 2: Taylor Series Notation
Find the first three nonzero terms of Taylor series for $f(x) = x^{3/2}$ about $a = 1$. Write in the notation of $\sum$ or $C_n$.
Hence, find the approximation for $(1.03)^{3/2}$.
Question 3: Maclaurin Series
Find the first four nonzero terms of Maclaurin series for the following functions:
(a) $f(x) = xe^{x/4}$
(b) $f(x) = x\sin 3x$
Related Concepts
- Binomial Expansion
- Power Series — Taylor & Maclaurin
- Binomial Theorem
- Pascal's Triangle
- Factorials
- Taylor Series
- Maclaurin Series
- Power Series
- Partial Fractions
- Series Convergence
- Approximation
Related Lectures
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