If the coefficient of x in the expansion of (ax^2 + bx + c)(1 - 2x)^26 is -56 and the coefficients of x^2 and x^3 are both zero, then a + b + c is equal to

Solution & Explanation

### Related Formula (1 - 2x)^26 = sum_r=0^26 binom26r (-2x)^r The coefficient extraction utilizes the distributive property over the polynomial (ax^2+bx+c). ### Core Logic Expansion of expression: (ax^2 + bx + c) sum_r=0^26 binom26r (-2x)^r For the term in x^2, we pick contributions yielding total power 2: a cdot (x^0 text term of sum) + b cdot (x^1 text term) + c cdot (x^2 text term) = 0 a cdot binom260(-2)^0 + b cdot binom261(-2)^1 + c cdot binom262(-2)^2 = 0 a - 52b + 1300c = 0 dots(1) ### Step 1: Formulate the system of linear equations For the term in x^3 (set to 0): a cdot (x^1 text term) + b cdot (x^2 text term) + c cdot (x^3 text term) = 0 a cdot binom261(-2)^1 + b cdot binom262(-2)^2 + c cdot binom263(-2)^3 = 0 -52a + 1300b - 20800c = 0 dots(2) For the term in x^1 (set to -56): b cdot (x^0 text term) + c cdot (x^1 text term) = -56 b cdot binom260(-2)^0 + c cdot binom261(-2)^1 = -56 b - 52c = -56 dots(3) ### Step 2: Solve the Linear System From (3), b = 52c - 56. Substitute into (2) divided by -52 to simplify: a - 25b + 400c = 0. Substitute into (1): a - 52b + 1300c = 0. Subtracting: 27b - 900c = 0 Rightarrow b = frac1003c. Wait, recalculating directly: From (2): -52a + 1300b - 20800c = 0 Rightarrow a - 25b + 400c = 0. From (1): a - 52b + 1300c = 0. (a - 25b + 400c) - (a - 52b + 1300c) = 0 Rightarrow 27b - 900c = 0 Rightarrow 3b = 100c. Substitute into (3): b - 52(3b/100) = -56 Rightarrow fractional results? Let's check coefficients accurately. binom263(-2)^3 = frac26 cdot 25 cdot 246 times (-8) = 2600 times -8 = -20800. Divide by -52: a - 25b + 400c = 0. Correct. (a - 52b + 1300c) - (a - 25b + 400c) = -27b + 900c = 0 Rightarrow 27b = 900c Rightarrow b = frac1003c. This contradicts integer expectations. Let's substitute b from (3) directly. b = 52c - 56. 27(52c - 56) = 900c 1404c - 1512 = 900c Rightarrow 504c = 1512 Rightarrow c = 3. Then b = 52(3) - 56 = 156 - 56 = 100. From (1): a - 52(100) + 1300(3) = 0 Rightarrow a - 5200 + 3900 = 0 Rightarrow a = 1300. ### Step 3: Compute final value We have a = 1300, b = 100, c = 3. a + b + c = 1300 + 100 + 3 = 1403 ### Pattern Recognition Polynomial-Binomial product coefficient extractions strictly generate cascaded linear Diophantine-style equations. Solving from the lowest degree constraint (x^1) upward sequentially unwinds the system cleanly. ### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer null ### Chapter Mix Class 11 Maths: Binomial Theorem

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