Question
Question: A set contains \[\left( {2n + 1} \right)\] elements. The number of subsets of the set which contains...
A set contains (2n+1) elements. The number of subsets of the set which contains at most n elements is
A) 2n
B) 2n+1
C) 22n−1
D) 22n
Solution
Here, we have to find the number of subsets. We will use the formula for finding the number of subsets of sets. Then by using the Binomial Theorem we will find the number of subsets for sets which contain (2n+1) elements. We will then solve the equation further to find the number of subsets of the set.
Formula Used:
We will use the following formulas:
- The number of subsets of the set which contain at most n elements is 2n+1C0+2n+1C1+2n+1C2+2n+1C3+.....+2n+1Cn=K
- Property of Binomial Theorem is given by nC0+nC1+nC2+........+nCn=2n
- Exponential rule: an1=a−n
- Exponential rule: am⋅an=am+n
Complete step by step solution:
We are given a set which contains (2n+1) elements. We will find the number of subsets of the set which contains at most n elements.
The number of subsets of the set which contain at most n elements is given by 2n+1C0+2n+1C1+2n+1C2+2n+1C3+.....+2n+1Cn=K
Multiplying by 2 on both the sides of the above equation, we get
⇒2K=2(2n+1C0+2n+1C1+2n+1C2+2n+1C3+.....+2n+1Cn)
By using the property of Binomial Coefficients, we get
⇒2K=(2n+1C0+2n+1C1+2n+1C2+2n+1C3+.....+2n+1Cn+2n+1Cn+1+.......+2n+1C2n+2n+1C2n+1)
By adding the first and last terms successively, we get
⇒2K=(2n+1C0+2n+1C2n+1)+(2n+1C1+2n+1C2n)+(2n+1C2+2n+1C2n−1)+......+(2n+1Cn+2n+1C2n+1)
By using the property of binomial theorem nC0+nC1+nC2+........+nCn=2n, we get
⇒2K=22n+1
By rewriting the equation, we get
⇒K=222n+1
By using the exponential rule an1=a−n, we get
⇒K=22n+1⋅2−1
Using the exponential rule am⋅an=am+n, we get
⇒K=22n+1−1
⇒K=22n
Therefore, the number of subsets of the set which contains at most n elements is 22n.
Thus, option (D) is the correct answer.
Note:
We know that the binomial coefficient uses the concept of combinations. In Binomial expansion, the number of terms is greater by 1 than the power of the binomial expansion. The sum of the exponents of a Binomial expansion is always m which is the power of the binomial expansion. We should also use the trigonometric formula and ratios while solving the binomial expansion for the variable m. Binomial coefficients are the integers which are coefficients in the Binomial Theorem.