Solution
Core Logic
Expand the expression:
(1 + x²)² (1 + x)ⁿ = (1 + 2x² + x⁴) · Σr=0ⁿ ⁿCᵣ x^rWe need the coefficients of x, x², and x³. For x¹: Multiplier is 1 · ⁿC₁x = ⁿC₁. For x²: Multiplier is 1 · ⁿC₂x² + 2x² · ⁿC₀ = ⁿC₂ + 2. For x³: Multiplier is 1 · ⁿC₃x³ + 2x² · ⁿC₁x = ⁿC₃ + 2ⁿC₁.
These three coefficients are in Arithmetic Progression (A.P.).
Step 1: Set up the A.P. Condition
If A, B, C are in A.P., then 2B = A + C.
2(ⁿC₂ + 2) = ⁿC₁ + (ⁿC₃ + 2ⁿC₁) 2((n(n-1))/(2) + 2) = 3n + (n(n-1)(n-2))/(6) (assuming n ≥ 3)Step 2: Solve the Polynomial Equation
n(n-1) + 4 = 3n + (n(n-1)(n-2))/(6)Multiply by 6:
6n² - 6n + 24 = 18n + n(n² - 3n + 2) 6n² - 6n + 24 = 18n + n³ - 3n² + 2n n³ - 9n² + 26n - 24 = 0Testing integer roots, for n = 2: 8 - 36 + 52 - 24 = 0 ⇒ n=2 is a root (wait, A.P. works for n=2 also, let's check later). For n = 3: 27 - 81 + 78 - 24 = 0 ⇒ n=3 is a root. For n = 4: 64 - 144 + 104 - 24 = 0 ⇒ n=4 is a root.
Step 3: Verification of Roots
Check for n = 2 (since our formula assumed n ≥ 3, ²C₃=0): Coeff of x = 2, Coeff of x² = 1+2 = 3, Coeff of x³ = 0 + 2(2) = 4. Sequence is 2, 3, 4 which is an A.P. So n=2 is valid. The values of n are 2, 3, 4. Required sum of values = 2 + 3 + 4 = 9.
Pattern Recognition
Whenever binomial limits logically constrain formulas (like ⁿC₃ demanding n≥ 3), explicitly check the lower bounds manually (n=2) to avoid dropping edge-case roots from the algebraic polynomial factorization.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Maths: Binomial Theorem