Past Paper Permutation-Combination and

Binomials [145 marks]

(a)

Write down and simplify the first three terms, in ascending powers of 𝑥, in the
!
Extended Binomial expansion of (1 − 𝑥)" .

[3]

(b)
! "
By substituting 𝑥 = " find a rational approximation to √9.

[3]

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2. 24M.1.AHL.TZ2.9

A teacher takes 𝑛 students on a field trip. The students are assigned randomly into
two groups.

For safety reasons there must be exactly three students in the first group and at least
three students in the second group.

The teacher will randomly assign three students to the first group and the other
students to the second group.

(a)

Write down an expression for the number of ways that the students could be
assigned.

[1]

Two of the students ask the teacher not to work in the same group.

The teacher agrees and now finds that the number of ways to assign the students is
halved.

(b)

Determine the value of 𝑛.

[6]

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3. 24M.2.AHL.TZ1.9

A group of 10 children includes one pair of brothers, Alvin and Bobby, and one pair of
sisters, Catalina and Daniela.

The children are to be seated at 10 desks which are arranged in two rows of five as
shown in the following diagram.

Alvin and Bobby must be seated next to each other in the same row.

(a)

Find the total number of ways the children can be seated.

[3]

After an argument, Catalina and Daniela must not be seated next to each other. Alvin
and Bobby must still be seated next to each other.

(b)

Find the total number of ways the children can be seated.

[4]

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4. 23N.1.SL.TZ1.6
"$
The binomial expansion of (1 + 𝑘𝑥)# is given by 1 + %
+ 15𝑘 % 𝑥 % + ⋯ + 𝑘 # 𝑥 # ,
where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ& and 𝑘 ∈ ℚ.

Find the value of n and the value of k.

[6]

5. 23N.2.AHL.TZ2.7

A junior baseball team consists of six boys and three girls.

The team members are to be placed in a line to have their photograph taken.

(a)

In how many ways can the team members be placed if

(a.i)

there are no restrictions.

[1]

(a.ii)

the girls must be placed next to each other.

[2]

(b)

Five members of the team are selected to attend a baseball summer camp. Find the
number of possible selections that contain at least two girls.

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 [3]

6. 23M.2.SL.TZ1.6

The coefficient of 𝑥 ' in the expansion of (𝑎𝑥 ( + 𝑏)) is 448.

The coefficient of 𝑥 ' in the expansion of (𝑎𝑥 ( + 𝑏)!* is 2880.

Find the value of 𝑎 and the value of 𝑏, where 𝑎 , 𝑏 > 0.

[7]

7. 22N.1.AHL.TZ0.11

Consider a three-digit code 𝑎𝑏𝑐, where each of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 is assigned one of the
values 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Find the total number of possible codes

(a.i)

assuming that each value can be repeated (for example, 121 or 444).

[2]

(a.ii)

assuming that no value is repeated.

[2]

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Let 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑥 ( + 𝑎𝑥 % + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, where each of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 is assigned one of the values
1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. Assume that no value is repeated.

Consider the case where 𝑃(𝑥) has a factor of (𝑥 % + 3𝑥 + 2).

(b.i)

Find an expression for 𝑏 in terms of 𝑎.

[6]

(b.ii)

Hence show that the only way to assign the values is 𝑎 = 4, 𝑏 = 5 and 𝑐 = 2.

[2]

(b.iii)

Express 𝑃(𝑥) as a product of linear factors.

[1]

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 (b.iv)

Hence or otherwise, sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑃(𝑥), clearly showing the coordinates of
any intercepts with the axes.

[3]

8. 22N.2.SL.TZ0.6
(,$&!)#
Consider the expansion of %!$ $
, where 𝑎 ≠ 0. The coefficient of the term
)
in 𝑥 . is / 𝑎0 .

Find the value of 𝑎.

[6]

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9. 22M.1.SL.TZ2.6

Consider the binomial expansion (𝑥 + 1)/ = 𝑥 / + 𝑎𝑥 ' + 𝑏𝑥 0 + 35𝑥 . + ⋯ + 1 where

(a)

Show that 𝑏 = 21.

[2]

(b)

The third term in the expansion is the mean of the second term and the fourth term
in the expansion.

Find the possible values of 𝑥.

[5]

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10. 22M.1.AHL.TZ1.6
! #
Consider the expansion of @8𝑥 ( − %$ A where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ& . Determine all possible values
of 𝑛 for which the expansion has a non-zero constant term.

[5]

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11. 22M.2.AHL.TZ1.9

Mary, three female friends, and her brother, Peter, attend the theatre. In the theatre
there is a row of 10 empty seats. For the first half of the show, they decide to sit next
to each other in this row.

(a)

Find the number of ways these five people can be seated in this row.

[3]

For the second half of the show, they return to the same row of 10 empty seats. The
four girls decide to sit at least one seat apart from Peter. The four girls do not have to
sit next to each other.

(b)

Find the number of ways these five people can now be seated in this row.

[4]

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12. 22M.2.AHL.TZ2.9

Consider the set of six-digit positive integers that can be formed from the
digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Find the total number of six-digit positive integers that can be formed such that

(a)

the digits are distinct.

[2]

(b)

the digits are distinct and are in increasing order.

[2]

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13. 21N.1.AHL.TZ0.9
!
Consider the expression − √1 − 𝑥 where 𝑎 ∈ ℚ, 𝑎 ≠ 0.
√!&,$

The binomial expansion of this expression, in ascending powers of 𝑥, as far as the

(a)

Find the value of 𝑎 and the value of 𝑏.

[6]

(b)

State the restriction which must be placed on 𝑥 for this expansion to be valid.

[1]

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14. 21M.1.SL.TZ2.4

In the expansion of (𝑥 + 𝑘)/ , where 𝑘 ∈ ℝ, the coefficient of the term in 𝑥 0 is 63.

Find the possible values of 𝑘.

[5]

15. 21M.2.SL.TZ1.6

Consider the expansion of (3 + 𝑥 % )#&! , where 𝑛 ∈ ℤ& .

Given that the coefficient of 𝑥 . is 20 412, find the value of 𝑛.

[5]

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16. 20N.2.SL.TZ0.S_5

2 "
Consider the expansion of @3𝑥 % − $ A , where 𝑘 > 0.

The coefficient of the term in 𝑥 ' is 6048. Find the value of 𝑘.

[6]

17. 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_4

! ! $ "
Find the term independent of 𝑥 in the expansion of $ " @($ $ − %A .

[6]

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18. 20N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_7

At a gathering of 12 teachers, seven are male and five are female. A group of five of
these teachers go out for a meal together. Determine the possible number of groups
in each of the following situations:

(a)

There are more males than females in the group.

[4]

(b)

Two of the teachers, Gary and Gerwyn, refuse to go out for a meal together.

[3]

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19. 19N.1.SL.TZ0.S_4
11 !!!
Consider @ A = ,! "!.
𝑎
(a)

Find the value of 𝑎.

[2]

(b)

Hence or otherwise find the coefficient of the term in 𝑥 " in the expansion of (𝑥 + 3)!! .

[4]

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20. 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_5

Consider the expansion of (2 + 𝑥)# , where 𝑛 ≥ 3 and 𝑛 ∈ ℤ.

The coefficient of 𝑥 ( is four times the coefficient of 𝑥 % . Find the value of 𝑛.

[6]

21. 19N.2.AHL.TZ0.H_8

Eight boys and two girls sit on a bench. Determine the number of possible
arrangements, given that

(a)

the girls do not sit together.

[3]

(b)

the girls do not sit on either end.

[2]

(c)

the girls do not sit on either end and do not sit together.

[3]

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22. 18N.1.AHL.TZ0.H_2

A team of four is to be chosen from a group of four boys and four girls.

(a)

Find the number of different possible teams that could be chosen.

[3]

(b)

Find the number of different possible teams that could be chosen, given that the
team must include at least one girl and at least one boy.

[2]

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024

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