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Binomial Expansion

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Question 95

A physicist models the spectral density S(λ)S(\lambda)S(λ) of a laser beam for small wavelengths λ \lambda\,λ using the function

S(λ)=(14−12λ)−52∣λ∣<12 S(\lambda) = \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{2}\lambda \right)^{-\frac{5}{2}} \quad |\lambda| < \frac{1}{2} S(λ)=(41​−21​λ)−25​∣λ∣<21​
a.

Determine the first 4 terms of the binomial expansion of S(λ)S(\lambda)S(λ) in ascending powers of λ\lambdaλ, simplifying each coefficient.

[4]
b.

A secondary filter is applied such that the resulting density R(λ)R(\lambda)R(λ) satisfies

(14−12λ)nS(λ)=(14−12λ)−12 \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{2}\lambda \right)^{n} S(\lambda) = \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{2}\lambda \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} (41​−21​λ)nS(λ)=(41​−21​λ)−21​

State the value of nnn.

[1]
c.

Hence, or otherwise, find the first 3 terms of the binomial expansion of R(λ)R(\lambda)R(λ) in ascending powers of λ\lambdaλ, giving each term in its simplest form.

[3]

Binomial Expansion Questions

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