Sum of Binomial Coefficients

Sum of Binomial Coefficients

Komal MiglaniUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 08:06 PM IST

The Sum of Binomial Coefficient is an important concept of algebra that helps to expand the expressions. A Binomial is an expression with two terms. It is difficult to solve the powers manually therefore this expression makes it simpler to solve. This theorem is widely used in real-life applications in mathematics including calculus etc.

Binomial Expression:

Sum of Binomial Coefficients
Sum of Binomial Coefficients

An algebraic expression consisting of only two terms is called a Binomial Expression

$
e g \cdot(a+b)^2,\left(\sqrt{x}+\frac{k}{x^2}\right)^5,(x+9 y)^{-2 / 3}
$


If we wanted to expand $(x+y)^{52}$, we might multiply $(x+y)$ by itself fifty-two times. This could take hours!
But if we examine some simple expansions, we can find patterns that will lead us to a shortcut for finding more complicated binomial expansions.

$
\begin{aligned}
& (x+y)^2=x^2+2 x y+y^2 \\
& (x+y)^3=x^3+3 x^2 y+3 x y^2+y^3 \\
& (x+y)^4=x^4+4 x^3 y+6 x^2 y^2+4 x y^3+y^4
\end{aligned}
$


On examining the exponents, we find that with each successive term, the exponent for x decreases by 1 and the exponent for y increases by $1$ . The sum of the two exponents is $n$ for each term.
Also the coefficients for $(x+y)^n$ are equal to $\binom{n}{0},\binom{n}{1},\binom{n}{2}, \ldots,\binom{n}{n}$ where, $\binom{n}{r}=C(n, r)={ }^n C_r=\frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!}$


These patterns lead us to the Binomial Theorem, which can be used to expand any binomial expression.

Binomial Theorem

If $n$ is any positive integer, 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 $\binom{n}{r}=C(n, r)={ }^n C_r=\frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!}$.


Some Standard Expansions on Sum of Binomial Coefficients:

1. Sum of Binomial Coefficients

$
\begin{aligned}
& C_0+\mathrm{C}_1+C_2+C_3+\ldots \ldots+C_n=2^n \\
& \text { or } \sum_{r=0}^n{ }^n C_r=2^n
\end{aligned}
$

2. Sum of Binomial coefficients with alternate sign

The sim of Binomial coefficeints with alternate sign are zero as the terms $T_k$ and $T_{n-k}$ are equal.

$
\begin{aligned}
& C_0-\mathrm{C}_1+C_2-C_3+\ldots \ldots+(-1)^n C_n=0 \\
& \text { or } \quad \sum_{r=0}^n(-1)^r{ }^n C_r=0
\end{aligned}
$

3. Sum of the Binomial coefficients of the odd terms / Sum of the Binomial coefficients of the even terms

The sum of the binomial coefficients of the odd terms = Sum of the binomial coefficients of the even terms

$
\text { I.e. } C_1+C_3+C_5 \ldots \ldots=C_0+C_2+C_4+\ldots \ldots=2^{n-1}
$
solve and analyze real-life complex problems.

Recommended Video Based on Sum of Binomial Coefficients:

Solved Examples Based on Sum of Binomial Coefficients

Example 1: Let $S_n=1+q+q^2+\ldots \ldots \ldots+q^n$ and $T_n=1+\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)+\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)^2+\ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots+\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)^n$ where q is a real numer and $q \neq 1$ ${ }_{\text {If }}{ }^{101} C_1+{ }^{101} C_2 \cdot S_1+\ldots \ldots . .+{ }^{101} C_{101} \cdot S_{100}=\alpha T_{100}$ then $\alpha$ is equal to :
1) 200
2) $2^{100}$
3) 2021
4) $2^{99}$

Solution
Sum of Binomial Coefficients

$
C_0+C_1+C_2+C_3+----+C_n=2^n
$

$\begin{aligned}
&T_n=1+\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)+\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)^2+\cdots+\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)^n=\frac{\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)^{n+1}-1}{\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)-1}\\
&\text { Also, given, }\\
& { }^{101} \mathrm{C}_1+{ }^{101} \mathrm{C}_2 S_1+\ldots \ldots \ldots \ldots+{ }^{101} \mathrm{C}_{101} S_{100}=\alpha T_{100} \\
& \alpha T_{100}=\sum_{r=1}^{101}{ }^{101} C_r \cdot S_{r-1} \\
& \alpha T_{100}=\sum_{r=1}^{101}{ }^{101} C_r\left[\frac{q^r-1}{q-1}\right] \\
& \alpha T_{100}=\frac{1}{q-1}\left(\sum_{r=1}^{101}{ }^{101} C_r\left(q^r-1\right)\right) \\
& \alpha T_{100}=\frac{1}{q-1}\left((1+q)^{101}-1-\left(2^{101}-1\right)\right) \\
& \alpha T_{100}=\frac{1}{q-1}\left((1+q)^{101}-2^{101}\right)
\end{aligned}$


$\begin{aligned}
& \alpha\left(\frac{\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)^{101}-1}{\left(\frac{q+1}{2}\right)-1}\right)=\frac{(1+q)^{101}-2^{101}}{q-1} \\
& \frac{2}{2^{101}} \alpha\left(\frac{(q+1)^{101}-2^{101}}{(q+1)-2}\right)=\frac{(1+q)^{101}-2^{101}}{q-1} \\
& \alpha\left(\frac{1}{2^{100}}\right)=1 \\
& \alpha=2^{100}
\end{aligned}$

Example 2: If the number of terms in the expansion of $\left(1-\frac{2}{x}+\frac{4}{y}\right)^n, x, y \neq 0$ is 28 , then the sum of the coefficients of all the terms in this expansion is
1) $64$
2) $2187$
3) $243$
4) $729$

Solution:

$
\left(1-\frac{2}{x}+\frac{4}{y}\right)^n
$
Using multinomial theorem, number of terms ${ }^{n+2} C_2=28$

$
\begin{aligned}
& \frac{(n+2)!}{2!((n+2)-2)!}=28 \\
& \frac{(n+2)(n+1) n!}{2!n!}=28 \\
& (n+2)(n+1)=56
\end{aligned}
$


Thus $n=6$
So, in $\left(1-\frac{2}{x}+\frac{4}{y}\right)^6$
Put $x=1, y=1$
We get sum of coefficients $=3^6=729$

Example 3: If the fractional part of the number $\frac{2^{403}}{15}$ is $\frac{k}{15}$, then k is equal to:
1) $6$
2) $ 8$
3) $4$
4) $14$

Solution
Sum of Binomial Coefficients

$
C_0+C_1+C_2+C_3+----+C_n=2^n
$
Now,
$2^{403}$ can be written as

$
2^{403}=2^3 \cdot 2^{400}=8\left(2^4\right)^{100}=8(15+1)^{100}
$


So,

$
\begin{aligned}
\Rightarrow \frac{8}{15}(15+1)^{100} & =\frac{8}{15}(15 \lambda+1) \\
& =8 \lambda+\frac{8}{15}
\end{aligned}
$

$\because 8 \lambda$ is integer and $\frac{8}{15}$ is fractional part
So, $k=8$

Example 4: What is the sum of the coefficient of the term $(\sqrt{2}-\sqrt[3]{3}+\sqrt[6]{5})^{10}$ ?
1) $3^{10}$
2) $2^{10}$
3) 1
4) None of the above

Solution
Series Involving Binomial Coefficients -
In the expansion of $(x+y+z)^n$ if we put $x=y=z=1$, then we get the sum of coefficients. In this case, $(1+1+1)^n=\underline{3^n}$.
Sum of the coefficient $\left(x_1+x_2+x_3\right)^n=(1+1+1)^n=3^n$
To determine the coefficient
Put $x_1=1, x_2=-1, x_3=1$ and $n=10$
$(1-1+1)^n=1^n=1$
option C is correct.

Example 5: If $C_r={ }^{25} \mathrm{C}_r$ and $C_0+5 \cdot C_1+9 \cdot C_2+\cdots \cdots+(101) \cdot C_{25}=2^{25} \cdot k$, then k is equal to $\qquad$
1) 15
2) 30
3) 51
4) 27

Solution
The general term for the given series is: $(4 \mathrm{r}+1) .{ }^{25} \mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{r}}$
Applying summation

$=4 \sum_{r=1}^{25} r \times{ }^{25} C_r+2^{25}$
$=4 \times 25 \cdot 2^{24}+2^{25}=50 \cdot 2^{25}+2^{25}=(50+1) 2^{25}=51 \cdot 2^{25}$
$k=51$
Hence, the answer is the option 3.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can we use the sum of binomial coefficients to solve problems in molecular biology?
A:
Yes, the sum of binomial coefficients can be used in molecular biology. For example, in analyzing DNA sequences, 2^n could represent the number of possible n-base sequences, which is useful in understanding genetic diversity and mutation rates.
Q: How does the sum of binomial coefficients relate to the concept of information entropy?
A:
The sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) represents the maximum possible entropy for a system with n binary variables. This connects to Shannon's information theory and the concept of maximum information content.
Q: What's the connection between the sum of binomial coefficients and the concept of search space in optimization problems?
A:
The sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) often represents the size of the search space in optimization problems involving subsets of n elements. This helps in understanding the difficulty of finding optimal solutions and the need for efficient search algorithms.
Q: How can we use the sum of binomial coefficients to understand the concept of state complexity in automata theory?
A:
In automata theory, the sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) can represent the maximum number of states in a deterministic finite automaton that recognizes all subsets of an n-element alphabet. This helps in analyzing the complexity of formal languages and automata.
Q: What's the significance of the sum of binomial coefficients in error-correcting codes?
A:
In error-correcting codes, the sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) represents the total number of possible received messages for an n-bit transmission. This is important for designing codes that can detect and correct errors in data transmission.
Q: What's the significance of the sum of binomial coefficients in graph theory?
A:
In graph theory, the sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) represents the total number of possible subgraphs of a complete graph with n vertices. This is useful in analyzing graph structures and properties.
Q: What's the connection between the sum of binomial coefficients and the concept of exponential growth?
A:
The sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) is a perfect example of exponential growth. As n increases linearly, the sum grows exponentially, doubling with each increment of n. This illustrates the power and challenges of exponential processes.
Q: How does the sum of binomial coefficients relate to the concept of information capacity?
A:
The sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) represents the maximum number of distinct messages that can be encoded with n bits. This is directly related to the information capacity of a channel that can transmit n binary digits.
Q: Can we use the sum of binomial coefficients to solve problems in financial mathematics?
A:
Yes, the sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) can be used in financial models, particularly in options pricing. It represents the number of possible paths in a binomial tree model with n time steps, which is used to value options and other financial derivatives.
Q: How can we use the sum of binomial coefficients to understand the concept of computational complexity?
A:
The sum of binomial coefficients (2^n) often appears in the analysis of algorithms with exponential time complexity. It helps in understanding the rapid growth of problem difficulty as input size increases, which is crucial in complexity theory.