Solution: 2015 Fall Final - 4
Author: Michiel SmidQuestion
What is the coefficient of $x^{15}y^{5}$ in the expansion of $(-3x + 5y)^{20}$?
(a)
$- {20 \choose 5} \cdot 3^{15} \cdot 5^5$
(b)
${20 \choose 5} \cdot 5^{15} \cdot 3^5$
(c)
$- {20 \choose 5} \cdot 5^{15} \cdot 3^5$
(d)
${20 \choose 5} \cdot 3^{15} \cdot 5^5$
Solution
$ = \sum^{20}_{k=0} \binom{20}{k} {(-3x)}^{k} {(5y)}^{20-k} $
$ = \binom{20}{15} {(-3)}^{15} {5}^{5} x^{15} y^5 $
$ = - \binom{20}{15} {(3)}^{15} {5}^{5} x^{15} y^5 $
Thus, the coefficient of $x^{15}y^{5}$ in the expansion of ${(-3x + 5y)}^{20}$ is $ - \binom{20}{15} {(3)}^{15} {5}^{5} $