JEE Mathematics · Hard

Binomial Theorem: Binomial sum MCQ

Solve this quality-checked JEE multiple-choice question, then review the correct answer and explanation.

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Binomial sumHardQuestion 280011

Question

ⁿC₀ − ⁿC₁ + ⁿC₂ − ... + (−1)ⁿ ⁿCₙ equals:
  1. A
    0
    Correct
  2. B
    2ⁿ
  3. C
    1
  4. D
    n!

Correct answer

0

Explanation

Setting x = −1 in (1+x)ⁿ = Σ ⁿCᵣ xʳ: (1+(−1))ⁿ = 0 = ⁿC₀ − ⁿC₁ + ⁿC₂ − ... Thus the alternating sum of binomial coefficients is 0 (for n ≥ 1).