Part of ALG-06 — Binomial Theorem

Greatest Term and Greatest Coefficient

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Two distinct concepts: the greatest binomial coefficient and the numerically greatest term.

Greatest binomial coefficient in (1+x)^n: This is purely about C(n,r), independent of x. The maximum C(n,r) occurs at r = n/2 (if n even, one maximum) or r = n+/12\frac{n+/-1}{2} (if n odd, two equal maxima). Formally, C(n, floorn2\frac{n}{2}) = C(n, ceiln2\frac{n}{2}).

Numerically greatest term in (a+b)^n: This depends on the actual values of a and b. The method uses the ratio Tr+1T_{r+1}/TrT_r = nr+1r\frac{n-r+1}{r} * |b/a|.

Step 1: Set Tr+1T_{r+1}/TrT_r >= 1 and solve for r: r <= (n+1)|b|/(|a|+|b|) = m. Step 2: If m is an integer, both TmT_m and Tm+1T_{m+1} are greatest (equal). If m is not an integer, Tfloor(m)+1T_{floor(m)+1} is the unique greatest term.

Example: Greatest term of (2+3)^9 at x where b/a=3/2. m = 10*3/5 = 6. Since m is integer, T6T_6 and T7T_7 are both greatest.

Important distinction: "Greatest coefficient" means the largest C(n,r)anra^{n-r}brb^r in absolute value, not just C(n,r). For (1+x)^n with x=1, both concepts coincide. For other values of x, they differ.

JEE typically asks for either the greatest term or the rank (position) of the greatest term. The ratio method is the standard approach.

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