I keep getting “Middle term” questions wrong in Binomial Theorem. What's the trap?
assuming there's always exactly one middle term.
The usual trap: assuming there's always exactly one middle term. How to avoid it: count terms as n+1; the middle depends on whether n is odd or even. Go back to the definition — for even n there is one middle term; for odd n there are two.
Key point
Middle term
Common mistake
assuming there's always exactly one middle term.
Memory tip
count terms as n+1; the middle depends on whether n is odd or even.
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