Question:hard

In an examination, the maximum marks for each of three subjects is \(n\) and that for the fourth subject is \(2n\). The number of ways in which candidates can get \(3n\) marks is

Show Hint

For bounded integer solutions, first count all non-negative solutions using combinations, then apply the inclusion-exclusion principle to remove cases violating the upper limits.
Updated On: Jun 22, 2026
  • \(\frac{1}{6}(n+1)^2(5n^2+10n+6)^2\)
  • \(\frac{1}{6}(n+1)(5n^2+10n+6)^2\)
  • \(\frac{1}{6}(n+1)^2(5n^2+10n+6)\)
  • \(\frac{1}{6}(n+1)(5n^2+10n+6)\)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the problem.
There are 4 subjects: three subjects each with maximum $n$ marks, and one subject with maximum $2n$ marks. We want to count the number of ways a student can score exactly $3n$ marks in total. Each subject score is a non-negative integer within its maximum.
Step 2: Set up the generating function.
The generating function for the total score is: \[G(x) = (1+x+x^2+\cdots+x^n)^3 \cdot (1+x+x^2+\cdots+x^{2n}).\] We need the coefficient of $x^{3n}$ in $G(x)$.
Step 3: Simplify using the geometric series formula.
\[G(x) = \frac{(1-x^{n+1})^3(1-x^{2n+1})}{(1-x)^4}.\] Expanding $(1-x^{n+1})^3 = 1 - 3x^{n+1} + 3x^{2n+2} - x^{3n+3}$.
Step 4: Extract coefficient of $x^{3n}$ using $\dfrac{1}{(1-x)^4} = \sum_{r\geq 0}\binom{r+3}{3}x^r$.
The relevant terms contributing to $[x^{3n}]$ are:
$\binom{3n+3}{3}$ (from the constant 1),
$-3\binom{2n+2}{3}$ (from $-3x^{n+1}$),
$3\binom{n+1}{3}$ (from $3x^{2n+2}$),
$0$ (from $x^{3n+3}$, since $3n+3 > 3n$),
$-\binom{n+2}{3}$ (from $-x^{2n+1}$ interacting with 1),
$+3\binom{n+2}{3}$ does not apply directly (involves negative powers). Only terms $(1-x^{2n+1})\times(1-3x^{n+1}+3x^{2n+2}-x^{3n+3})$ contribute.
Step 5: Simplify the sum.
After carefully collecting all nonzero contributions and simplifying: \[N = \binom{3n+3}{3} - 3\binom{2n+2}{3} + 3\binom{n+1}{3} - \binom{n+2}{3}.\] Working through the algebra and combining like terms (a standard textbook result for this type of restricted partition): \[N = \frac{(n+1)(5n^2+10n+6)}{6}.\]
Step 6: State the final answer.
The number of ways to score exactly $3n$ marks is $\dfrac{(n+1)(5n^2+10n+6)}{6}$. \[ \boxed{\dfrac{(n+1)(5n^2+10n+6)}{6}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0