Given that \(nC_4\), \(nC_5\) and \(nC_6\) are the terms of a linear sequence (A.P), find the : i. value of n ii. common differences of the sequence.

Assessment: WAEC SSCE - Further Mathematics - 2022 (Essay) Subject: Further Mathematics

Question 1 Report

Given that \(nC_4\), \(nC_5\) and \(nC_6\) are the terms of a linear sequence (A.P), find the :

i. value of n

ii. common differences of the sequence.

Answer Details

nC4 4  = n![n−4]!4!  →  n[n−1][n−2][n−3][n−4]![n−4]!4!

nC5 5  = n![n−5]!5!  →  n[n−1][n−2][n−3][n−4][n−5]![n−5]!5!]

and nC6 6  = n![n−6]!6!
  → n[n−1][n−2][n−3][n−4][n−5][n−6]![n−6]!6!]

d = U2 - U1 = U3 - U2

nC5 5  - nC4 4  = n(n−1)(n−2)(n−3)(n−9)5!

nC6 6  - nC5 5  = n(n−1)(n−2)(n−3)(n−4)(n−11)5!6

nC5 5  - nC4 4  = nC6 6  - nC5 5

n(n−1)(n−2)(n−3)(n−9)5!
 = n(n−1)(n−2)(n−3)(n−4)(n−11)5!6

divide both sides by n(n-1)(n-2)(n-3) 

n−95!
 = [n−4][n−11]5!6

multiply both sides by 5! * 6

6(n-9) = (n-4)(n-11)
6n - 54 = n2 2  -11n - 4n + 44
6n - 54 = n2 2  - 15n + 44
n2 2  - 21n + 98 = 0
n2 2  - 7n - 14n + 98 = 0
n(n - 7) -14(n - 7) = 0
(n-7)(n-14) = 0
n = 7 or 14

 

ii.

d = U2 - U1
when n = 7
d = 7C5 5  - 7C4 4

d = 7∗6∗5!2!∗5! 7 ∗ 6 ∗ 5 ! 2 ! ∗ 5 !  - 7∗6∗5∗4!3!∗4! 7 ∗ 6 ∗ 5 ∗ 4 ! 3 ! ∗ 4 !

d = 21 - 35
d = -14

when n = 14

d = 14C5 5  - 14C4 4

d = 14∗13∗12∗11∗10∗9!9!∗5!
 - 14∗13∗12∗11∗10!10!∗4!

d = 2002 - 1001
d = 1001

Download The App On Google Playstore

Everything you need to excel in your exams

Green Bridge CBT Mobile App
Personalized AI Learning Chat Assistant
200,000+ Exam Questions Across IGCSE, JAMB, WAEC & NECO
Over 3,900 Lesson Notes
Offline Support - Learn Anytime, Anywhere
Green Bridge Timetable
Literature Summaries & Potential Questions
Track Your Performance & Progress
In-depth Explanations for Comprehensive Learning