Why isn't the answer to TMUA-P1-MM2-017 shown upfront?

The options are lettered without marking the correct one so you attempt TMUA-P1-MM2-017 first — TMUA questions reward spotting the trap before you check the worked solution below.

Do I need a calculator for TMUA-P1-MM2-017?

No — calculators are banned in the TMUA. TMUA-P1-MM2-017 is set for a no-calculator target of about 150 seconds; the worked solution shows the fastest by-hand route.

Which TMUA specification point is TMUA-P1-MM2-017?

TMUA-P1-MM2-017 is Paper P1 · Sequences and series (specification code MM2), level 2. Drill more of the same topic from this page.

TMUA-P1-MM2-017 — Paper P1 · Sequences and series · Level 2

P1MM2Level 2~150s target

Spec: MM2 · No calculator · ~150s

What is the coefficient of

x^2

in the expansion of

(1+x)^4

Options

$4$
$12$
$6$
$8$

Letters only — the answer key is hidden. Work it out, then check the solution below.

Hint (check trope)

No written hint yet — check the trope: binomial-coefficients, pascal-triangle. Name the trap first, work the stem by hand, then open the solution below.

Show solution

The

x^2

term is

\binom{4}{2}x^2 = 6x^2

, so the coefficient is

6

and the correct is C. Trap:

4

is the coefficient of

x

, not

x^2

Keep practising

Same topic · same level
P1MM2Level 2
TMUA-P1-MM2-006
A sequence is defined by u_1 = 5 and u_n+1 = 2u_n - 3. What is the value of u_3?
Sequences and series
Open TMUA-P1-MM2-006 →
Same trap: binomial-coefficients
P1MM2Level 3
TMUA-P1-MM2-020
What is the coefficient of x^3 in the expansion of (2+x)^5?
Sequences and series
Open TMUA-P1-MM2-020 →
Step up a level
P1MM2Level 3
TMUA-P1-MM2-012
An arithmetic series has first term 7 and common difference 4. What is the smallest n such that the sum of the first n t…
Sequences and series
Open TMUA-P1-MM2-012 →

Browse more

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Keep practising

Same topic · same level

P1MM2Level 2

TMUA-P1-MM2-006

A sequence is defined by u_1 = 5 and u_n+1 = 2u_n - 3. What is the value of u_3?

Sequences and series

Open TMUA-P1-MM2-006 →

Same trap: binomial-coefficients

P1MM2Level 3

TMUA-P1-MM2-020

What is the coefficient of x^3 in the expansion of (2+x)^5?

Sequences and series

Open TMUA-P1-MM2-020 →

Step up a level

P1MM2Level 3

TMUA-P1-MM2-012

An arithmetic series has first term 7 and common difference 4. What is the smallest n such that the sum of the first n t…

Sequences and series

Open TMUA-P1-MM2-012 →

TMUA-P1-MM2-017 — Paper P1 · Sequences and series · Level 2

Options

Keep practising

Master Sequences and series

TMUA-P1-MM2-017 — Paper P1 · Sequences and series · Level 2

Options

Keep practising

Master Sequences and series