GateAI
Combinatorics

GATE CSE 2016 Set 1 · Q26

NAT2 marksEasy

Time

The coefficient of x12x^{12} in (x3+x4+x5+x6+⋯ )3(x^3 + x^4 + x^5 + x^6 + \cdots)^3 is ________ .

Your answerNumerical answer

Enter a value to check

Solution

Step-by-step verified solution

Official answer: 10 (±0)

Combinatorics

We want to find the coefficient of x12x^{12} in the expansion of:

S=(x3+x4+x5+x6+⋯ )3S = (x^3 + x^4 + x^5 + x^6 + \cdots)^3

Factor out x3x^3 from each term in the product:

S=(x3(1+x+x2+x3+⋯ ))3=x9(1+x+x2+⋯ )3=x9(1−x)−3S = \left(x^3(1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + \cdots)\right)^3 = x^9 (1 + x + x^2 + \cdots)^3 = x^9 (1 - x)^{-3}

Finding the coefficient of x12x^{12} in SS is equivalent to finding the coefficient of x12−9=x3x^{12 - 9} = x^3 in (1−x)−3(1 - x)^{-3}.

Using the binomial series expansion:

(1−x)−n=∑r=0∞(n+r−1r)xr(1 - x)^{-n} = \sum_{r=0}^{\infty} \binom{n + r - 1}{r} x^r

For n=3n = 3 and r=3r = 3:

Coefficient of x3=(3+3−13)=(53)=5×4×33×2×1=10\text{Coefficient of } x^3 = \binom{3 + 3 - 1}{3} = \binom{5}{3} = \frac{5 \times 4 \times 3}{3 \times 2 \times 1} = 10

Thus, the coefficient of x12x^{12} is 10.

Try the question first, then check your work.

Think the official key or this write-up is wrong?

Report error or challenge

Examiner trap

The misconception this question tests

This Combinatorics previous year question is Q26 of the GATE CSE 2016 Set 1 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Combinatorics in Engineering Mathematics, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.

Free diagnostic

Where do you stand for GATE?

Take the 20-minute diagnostic: the 3 topics that cost you the most marks, and a rank range. Or sit 5 related Combinatorics PYQs now with no account.

One GATE CSE PYQ every morning

An official question by email at 7 AM IST, with a link to its verified solution. Unsubscribe in one click.

Combinatorics in GATE CSE

Combinatorics has 19 GATE CSE PYQs across 15 papers from 2012 to 2025. 7 of them are 2-mark NAT questions like this one, and GATE CSE 2016 Set 1 has 2.

How GATE tests Combinatorics

More from GATE CSE 2016 Set 1

Share this solution

A plain-text card for WhatsApp or Telegram study groups.

GateAI solution cardGATE CSE 2016 Set 1 · Q26 · NAT

The coefficient of x12 in (x3 + x4 + x5 + x6 + )3 is …

Topic-wise GATE CS PYQs with verified steps

Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.