Step 1: Determine the formula for the coefficient of a term in a binomial expansion.
The (r+1)-th term in the expansion of (a+b)n is given by Tr+1=(rn)an−rbr.
The coefficient of the (r+1)-th term is (rn).
Step 2: Find the coefficients of the sixth and sixteenth terms.
For the sixth term, r+1=6, so r=5. The coefficient is (5n).
For the sixteenth term, r+1=16, so r=15. The coefficient is (15n).
Step 3: Set the coefficients equal and solve for n.
Given that the coefficients are equal:
(5n)=(15n)
According to the property of binomial coefficients, if (rn)=(kn), then either r=k or r+k=n.
Since 5=15, we must have 5+15=n.
n=5+15
n=20
The value of n is:
20
Step 1: Group the terms to apply the binomial theorem.
Let X=(a+b). The expression becomes (X−c)3.
Step 2: Expand (X−c)3 using the binomial theorem.
The binomial theorem states (A+B)3=A3+3A2B+3AB2+B3.
Here, A=X and B=−c.
(X−c)3=X3+3X2(−c)+3X(−c)2+(−c)3
=X3−3cX2+3c2X−c3
Step 3: Substitute X=(a+b) back into the expanded expression.