Question:medium

Find \((x + 1)^6 - (x - 1)^6\). Hence or otherwise evaluate \((\sqrt2 + 1)^6 + (\sqrt2 - 1)^6.\)

Updated On: Jan 23, 2026
Show Solution

Solution and Explanation

Part I: Find (x + 1)6 − (x − 1)6


Step 1: Expand using Binomial Theorem

(x + 1)6 = x6 + 6x5 + 15x4 + 20x3 + 15x2 + 6x + 1

(x − 1)6 = x6 − 6x5 + 15x4 − 20x3 + 15x2 − 6x + 1


Step 2: Subtract

(x + 1)6 − (x − 1)6

= (x6 − x6) + (6x5 + 6x5) + (15x4 − 15x4)

+ (20x3 + 20x3) + (15x2 − 15x2) + (6x + 6x)

= 12x5 + 40x3 + 12x


Result:

(x + 1)6 − (x − 1)6 = 12x5 + 40x3 + 12x


Part II: Evaluate (√2 + 1)6 + (√2 − 1)6


Step 1: Use symmetry

(x + 1)6 + (x − 1)6 = 2(x6 + 15x4 + 15x2 + 1)


Step 2: Substitute x = √2

x2 = 2,   x4 = 4,   x6 = 8

(x + 1)6 + (x − 1)6

= 2(8 + 15·4 + 15·2 + 1)

= 2(8 + 60 + 30 + 1)

= 2 × 99

= 198


Final Answers:

(x + 1)6 − (x − 1)6 = 12x5 + 40x3 + 12x

(√2 + 1)6 + (√2 − 1)6 = 198

Was this answer helpful?
8