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Nature of Integral Part of Expression N = (a + sqrt b)^n

Nature of Integral Part of Expression N = (a + sqrt b)^n

Edited By Komal Miglani | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 08:02 PM IST

An algebraic expression consisting of only two terms is called a Binomial Expression. Expressions with a higher power are difficult to solve. In these cases, the binomial theorem plays a major role. The binomial theorem is used for the expansion of a binomial expression with a higher degree. Mathematical induction is one of the techniques which can be used to prove a variety of mathematical statements which are formulated in terms of n, where n is a positive integer. The binomial theorem is proved using the concept of mathematical induction. Apart from mathematics, the Binomial theorem is also used in various fields for statistical and financial data analysis.

Nature of Integral Part of Expression N = (a + sqrt b)^n
Nature of Integral Part of Expression N = (a + sqrt b)^n

This article is about a theorem to find the nature of the integral part of an expression which falls under the topic Binomial theorem and its applications. This is one of the important topics for competitive exams.

Binomial Theorem

If $n$ is any positive number, then $(a + b)^n = \binom{n}{0} a^n + \binom{n}{1} a^{n - 1} b + \binom{n}{2} a^{n - 2} b^2 + \dots + \binom{n}{n - 1} a b^{n - 1} + \binom{n}{n} b^n $

Binomial Coefficient

The combination $\binom{n}{r}$ or ${ }^{\mathrm{n}} \mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{r}}$ occuring in the Binomial theorem is called a Binomial coefficient, where $\binom{n}{r}=C(n, r)={ }^n C_r=\frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!}$.

Nature of an integral part of the expression $N=(a+\sqrt{b})^n$

If the given expansion is in the form of $N=(a+\sqrt{b})^n \quad(n \in N)$

To find the integral part,

Step 1: Choose $N^{\prime}=(a-\sqrt{b})^n$ or $(\sqrt{b}-a)^n$ according as $a>\sqrt{b}$ or $\sqrt{b}>a$

Step 2: Use $N + N'$ or $N-N'$ such that result is an integer

I.e. $(a+\sqrt{b})^n+(a-\sqrt{b})^n$ or $(a+\sqrt{b})^n-(a-\sqrt{b})^n$ is an integer Step 3: Now use the concept greatest integer function and fractional part of a function, $\mathrm{N}=$ $I+f$, where $I$ is an integral part of $N$ i.e., $[N]$ and $f$ is a fractional part of $N$, i.e. $\{\mathrm{N}\}$.

For example, the integral part of $P=(3 \sqrt{3}+5)^{2 n+1}(n \in N)$ is an even number.

Now consider, $P^{\prime}=(3 \sqrt{3}-5)^{2 n+1}$ here $0<P^{\prime}<1$

Use, $\left.P-P^{\prime}=2\left[{ }^{2 n+1} C_1(3 \sqrt{3})^{2 n} 5^1+{ }^{2 n+1} C_3(3 \sqrt{3})^{2 n-2}(5)^3+\ldots \ldots\right]\right]$

$I+f-P^{\prime}=2 k(k \in N)$

$ (P=I+f) $

$-1<f-P^{\prime}<1$ but $f-P^{\prime}$ is an integer $\Rightarrow f-P^{\prime}=0 \Rightarrow I=2 k$

Hence, integral part of $P=(3 \sqrt{3}+5)^{2 n+1}(n \in N)$ is an even integer

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Solved Examples

Example 1: If $P=(7+4 \sqrt{3})^9$ and $P=\mathrm{I}+\mathrm{f}$, where I is the integer just less than P, then the value of $P(1-f)$ is equal to

1) $1 $

2) $2^n$

3) $2 $

4) $2^{2 n}$

Solution:

Now,

$P=(7+4 \sqrt{3})^9 $

Let $P^{\prime}=(7-4 \sqrt{3})^9 \quad \& \quad 0<7-4 \sqrt{3}<1$

Using Binomial addition for $P+P'$

$ P+P^{\prime}=2 \cdot\left[{ }^9 C_0 7^9+{ }^9 C_2 7^7 \cdot(4 \sqrt{3})^2+{ }^9 C_4 7^5 \cdot(4 \sqrt{3})^4 \cdots \cdots\right] $

and it is given that $P+I+f$, where $0<f<1$

Hence,

$ I+f+P^{\prime}=2 \cdot\left[{ }^9 C_0 7^9+{ }^9 C_2 7^7 \cdot(4 \sqrt{3})^2+{ }^9 C_4 7^5 \cdot(4 \sqrt{3})^4 \ldots \ldots\right] $

So, $I+f+P^{\prime}=$ even integer

Now it is clear that $I$ is an integer so $f+P^{\prime}$ should be an integer

$f$ lies between $(0,1)$ and $P^{\prime}$ also lies between $(0,1)$

hence, $f+P^{\prime} \in(0,2)$

But their sum is an integer and 1 is the only integer that lies between this interval

hence, $f+P^{\prime}=1$

$ P^{\prime}=1-f $

we need to calculate $P(1-f)$

$ \text { or } P(1-f)=P P^{\prime}=\left[(7+4 \sqrt{3})^9(7-4 \sqrt{3})^9\right] $

$P(1-f) =\left[(7+4 \sqrt{3})^9(7-4 \sqrt{3})^9\right] $

$ =[(7+4 \sqrt{3})(7-4 \sqrt{3})]^9 $

$ =[49-48]^9 $

$ =1^9=1 $

Hence, the answer is option 1.

Example 2: If $P=(10+3 \sqrt{11})^n$ and $P^{\prime}=(10-3 \sqrt{11})^n$, then which one of the following is not true?

1) $P P^{\prime}=1$

2) $P+P^{\prime}$ is an even integer

3) $P^{\prime}=1-f$ where, $f$ is the fractional part of $P$

4) $f+P^{\prime} \in(0,1)$

Solution:

Now

i) $P P^{\prime}=(10+3 \sqrt{11})^n(10-3 \sqrt{11})^n=\left(10^2-(3 \sqrt{11})^2\right)^n=1^n=1$

ii) $P+P^{\prime}=2\left[{ }^n C_0(10)^n+{ }^n C_2(10)^{n-2}(3 \sqrt{3})^2+{ }^n C_2(10)^{n-4}(3 \sqrt{3})^4 \cdots \cdots\right]$

hence, it is an even integer

iii) Let $P=[P]+f$, where $[\mathrm{P}]$ is the integer just less than P

Now, from (ii)

$ P+P^{\prime}=\text { even integer } $

$ P+P^{\prime}=[P]+f+P^{\prime}=\text { Integer }$

Example 3: If $x=(7+4 \sqrt{3})^{2 n}=[x]+f$, then $x(1-f)$ is equal to $\qquad$ .

1) $1 $

2) $2 $

3) $3 $

4) $0 $

Solution:

We have ${ }^{7-4 \sqrt{3}}=\frac{1}{7+4 \sqrt{3}}$

$\therefore 0<7-4 \sqrt{3}<1 \Rightarrow 0<(7-4 \sqrt{3} 3)^{2 n}<1 $

Let $F=(7-4 \sqrt{3})^{2 n}$, then

$ x+F=(7+4 \sqrt{3})^{2 n}+(7-4 \sqrt{3})^{2 n} $

$ =2\left[{ }^{2 n} C_0 7^{2 n}+{ }^{2 n} C_2 7^{2 n-2}(4 \sqrt{3})^2+{ }^{2 n} C_4 7^{2 n-4}(4 \sqrt{3})^4+\ldots+{ }^{2 n} C_{2 n}(4 \sqrt{3})^{2 n}\right] $

$=2 m$, where $m$ is some positive integer

$\Rightarrow[x]+f+\mathrm{F}=2 m $

$ \Rightarrow f+F=2 m-[x] $

Since, $0 \leq f<1$ and $0<F<1$, we get $0<f+\mathrm{F}<2$. Also, since $f+F$ is an integer, we must have $f+\mathrm{F}=1$

Thus, $x(1-f)=x F=(7+4 \sqrt{3})^{2 n}(7-4 \sqrt{ } 3)^{2 n}=(49-48)^{2 n}=1^{2 n}=1$

Hence, the answer is option (1).

Example 5: Let $R=(5 \sqrt{5}+11)^{2 n+1}$ and $f=R-[R] {\text { where [.] denotes the greatest }}$ integer function. The value of $R . f$ is

1) $4^{2 n+1}$

2) $4^{2 n}$

3) $4^{2 n-1}$

4) $4^{-2 n}$

Solution:

Since $f=R-[R] \quad R=f+[R][5 \sqrt{5}+11]^{2 n+1}=f+[R] {\text { where }[R] \text { is integer }}$

Now let $f^{\prime}=[5 \sqrt{5}-11]^{2 n+1}, 0<f^{\prime}<1$

$ f+[R]-f^{\prime}=[5 \sqrt{5}+11]^{2 n+1}-[5 \sqrt{5}-11]^{2 n+1}= $

$2\left[{ }^{2 n+1} C_1(5 \sqrt{5})^{2 n}(11)^1+{ }^{2 n+1} C_3(5 \sqrt{5})^{2 n-2}(11)^3+\ldots \ldots .\right] $

$ =2 \cdot(\text { Integer })=2 K(K \in N)=\text { Even integer } $

Hence, $f-f^{\prime}=$ even integer $-[R]$, but $-1<f-f^{\prime}<1$.
Therefore, $f-f^{\prime}=0 \quad \therefore f=f^{\prime}$

Hence R. $f=R \cdot f^{\prime}=(5 \sqrt{5}+11)^{2 n+1}(5 \sqrt{5}-11)^{2 n+1}=4^{2 n+1}$.

Hence, the answer is option (1).


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the integral part of an expression in the form (a + √b)^n?
The integral part of (a + √b)^n is the sum of all terms in its binomial expansion that do not contain √b. It represents the whole number portion of the expression when expanded.
2. How does the nature of 'n' affect the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
The nature of 'n' (whether it's odd or even) determines the form of the integral part. For even n, all terms without √b are in the integral part. For odd n, only terms with even powers of √b contribute to the integral part.
3. Why is understanding the integral part of (a + √b)^n important in binomial expansions?
Understanding the integral part helps in simplifying complex expressions, solving equations, and predicting the behavior of sequences and series involving surds.
4. How does the value of 'a' influence the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
The value of 'a' affects each term in the expansion. Larger values of 'a' generally lead to a larger integral part, as 'a' is raised to various powers in the expansion.
5. Can the integral part of (a + √b)^n ever be negative?
Yes, the integral part can be negative if 'a' is negative and its absolute value is larger than √b, or if 'n' is negative (for fractional expressions).
6. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n change as 'n' increases?
As 'n' increases, the integral part generally grows larger and more complex, with more terms contributing to it.
7. What role does 'b' play in determining the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
While 'b' doesn't directly appear in the integral part, its value affects the magnitude of the non-integral terms, indirectly influencing which terms dominate the expression.
8. How can you quickly identify terms that contribute to the integral part?
Terms that contribute to the integral part are those where √b appears an even number of times (including zero times), as these will result in rational numbers.
9. Is there a pattern to the coefficients in the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
Yes, the coefficients follow Pascal's triangle pattern, but only for terms that contribute to the integral part.
10. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n relate to the floor function?
The integral part is equivalent to the floor function of (a + √b)^n, representing the largest integer not greater than the expression's value.
11. Can the integral part of (a + √b)^n ever be irrational?
No, by definition, the integral part consists only of rational terms (those without √b), so it's always a rational number.
12. How does the integral part of (a - √b)^n differ from (a + √b)^n?
The integral part of (a - √b)^n has the same magnitude as (a + √b)^n, but terms with odd powers of √b will have opposite signs.
13. What happens to the integral part when a = √b in (a + √b)^n?
When a = √b, the expression simplifies to (√b + √b)^n = (2√b)^n. The integral part will only exist for even n, where it equals 2^n * b^(n/2).
14. How can you use the binomial theorem to find the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
Expand (a + √b)^n using the binomial theorem, then collect all terms where the power of √b is even (including zero).
15. Is there a closed-form expression for the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
There's no simple closed-form expression for all n, but for specific n values, closed forms can be derived using binomial expansions and algebraic manipulation.
16. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n behave for very large n?
For large n, the integral part grows exponentially, with the term a^n becoming increasingly dominant.
17. Can the integral part of (a + √b)^n ever be zero?
Yes, it can be zero if a = 0 and n is odd, or in some cases where a and b are chosen to make all integral terms cancel out.
18. How does the integral part change if we consider (a + i√b)^n instead?
For (a + i√b)^n, where i is the imaginary unit, the integral part would consist of all real terms in the expansion, following similar even/odd patterns.
19. What's the relationship between the integral parts of (a + √b)^n and (a - √b)^n?
The integral parts of (a + √b)^n and (a - √b)^n are identical, as changing the sign of √b only affects the non-integral terms.
20. How does factoring affect the integral part of expressions like (a + √b)^n?
Factoring doesn't change the integral part, but it can simplify the calculation by allowing you to work with smaller exponents or simpler terms.
21. Can you predict the parity (odd/even) of the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
The parity of the integral part depends on the parity of 'a', 'n', and the individual terms. It's even if 'a' and 'n' are both odd, and can vary otherwise.
22. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n relate to number theory concepts?
The integral part connects to concepts like integer sequences, Diophantine equations, and properties of algebraic numbers in number theory.
23. What's the significance of the non-integral part in (a + √b)^n?
The non-integral part, containing odd powers of √b, represents the irrational component of the expression and is crucial for maintaining equality.
24. How can you estimate the magnitude of the integral part without full expansion?
You can estimate the magnitude by considering a^n as a rough approximation, especially for large 'a' or 'n'.
25. What happens to the integral part when b is a perfect square in (a + √b)^n?
When b is a perfect square, √b becomes rational, and the entire expression becomes rational. The integral part would then be the floor of the entire expression.
26. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n relate to its complex conjugate?
The integral part remains unchanged when taking the complex conjugate, as it only contains real terms.
27. Can the study of (a + √b)^n's integral part help in understanding other surd expressions?
Yes, the principles used for (a + √b)^n can be applied to understand more complex surd expressions and their expansions.
28. How does the integral part behave for fractional values of n in (a + √b)^n?
For fractional n, the integral part becomes more complex and may involve infinite series, requiring careful analysis of convergence and term behavior.
29. What role does the discriminant play in analyzing the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
The discriminant (b - a^2) affects the nature of the roots and thus the behavior of the expression, indirectly influencing the integral part's growth and properties.
30. How can dimensional analysis be applied to the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
Dimensional analysis ensures that each term in the integral part has consistent units, which can be useful in checking the correctness of expansions and simplifications.
31. What is the geometric interpretation of the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
Geometrically, the integral part represents the largest integer coordinate on the number line that doesn't exceed the value of the entire expression.
32. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n relate to floor and ceiling functions?
The integral part is equivalent to the floor function of the entire expression. The difference between the expression and its integral part relates to the fractional part.
33. Can recurrence relations be used to generate the integral part of (a + √b)^n for consecutive n?
Yes, recurrence relations can be derived to generate the integral part for consecutive n, often involving combinations of previous terms.
34. How does the concept of limits apply to the integral part of (a + √b)^n as n approaches infinity?
As n approaches infinity, the limit of the integral part depends on whether |a + √b| is greater than, equal to, or less than 1, leading to divergence, convergence to 1, or convergence to 0, respectively.
35. What is the connection between the integral part of (a + √b)^n and polynomial long division?
Polynomial long division can be used to separate the integral and non-integral parts of the expanded expression, especially for lower powers of n.
36. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n relate to the study of Diophantine equations?
The integral part often leads to Diophantine equations when equated to specific values, connecting this concept to number theory and integer solutions of equations.
37. Can generating functions be used to study the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
Yes, generating functions can be powerful tools for analyzing the sequence of integral parts for different values of n, revealing patterns and closed forms.
38. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n behave under modular arithmetic?
In modular arithmetic, the integral part follows cyclic patterns based on the modulus, which can simplify calculations for large n.
39. What is the relationship between the integral part of (a + √b)^n and continued fractions?
The integral part relates to the convergents of the continued fraction expansion of (a + √b), especially for rational approximations of surds.
40. How can Taylor series be applied to understand the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
Taylor series expansions can provide insights into the behavior of the integral part, especially for non-integer or complex values of n.
41. What role does the golden ratio play in the integral part of (a + √b)^n when a = 1 and b = 5?
When a = 1 and b = 5, the expression relates to the golden ratio. The integral parts of consecutive powers form a Fibonacci-like sequence with interesting properties.
42. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n relate to the theory of algebraic numbers?
The study of the integral part connects to algebraic number theory, particularly in understanding the properties of algebraic integers and their powers.
43. Can the integral part of (a + √b)^n be used in cryptography applications?
Yes, properties of the integral part, especially for large n, can be utilized in certain cryptographic algorithms and protocols involving surds.
44. How does the concept of algebraic degree relate to the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
The algebraic degree of the entire expression is 2, but the integral part always has degree 1, illustrating how taking the integral part reduces algebraic complexity.
45. What is the significance of Galois theory in understanding the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
Galois theory provides insights into the symmetries and structure of the algebraic extension generated by √b, which in turn affects the properties of the integral part.
46. How can the study of the integral part of (a + √b)^n be extended to more general algebraic expressions?
The principles used for (a + √b)^n can be extended to more complex algebraic expressions, including those with higher-order roots or multiple surds.
47. What is the connection between the integral part of (a + √b)^n and integer partitions?
The terms in the integral part relate to specific integer partitions of n, providing a link between this concept and combinatorial number theory.
48. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n behave under different base number systems?
The integral part retains its mathematical properties in different base systems, but its representation and patterns may change, offering insights into number system properties.
49. Can chaos theory concepts be applied to study the long-term behavior of the integral part of (a + √b)^n?
For certain values of a and b, the sequence of integral parts for increasing n can exhibit chaotic behavior, connecting this topic to dynamical systems and chaos theory.
50. How does the integral part of (a + √b)^n relate to the theory of transcendental numbers?
While (a + √b)^n is algebraic, studying its integral part can provide insights into approximations of transcendental numbers and the nature of algebraic-transcendental boundaries.

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