Question:medium

The coefficient of \(a^{10}b^7c^3\) in the expansion of \((bc + ca + ab)^{10}\) is:

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When working with multinomial expansions, use the relationships between the powers of the terms and solve the system of equations to find the specific term.
Updated On: Jan 29, 2026
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The expression provided is:

\[ (bc + ca + ab)^{10}. \]

The expansion's terms come from the multinomial expansion of \((bc + ca + ab)^{10}\). Let:

\[ x = bc, \quad y = ca, \quad z = ab. \]

The expansion of \((x + y + z)^{10}\) is:

\[ (x + y + z)^{10} = \sum_{i+j+k=10} \frac{10!}{i!j!k!} x^i y^j z^k. \]

Substitute back:

\[ x^i y^j z^k = (bc)^i (ca)^j (ab)^k = b^{i+k} c^{i+j} a^{j+k}. \]

Step 1: Match the powers of \(a^{10}b^{7}c^{3}\).

We require:

\[ a^{10} \implies j + k = 10, \quad b^{7} \implies i + k = 7, \quad c^{3} \implies i + j = 3. \]

Solve these equations simultaneously:

  1. \(j + k = 10\)
  2. \(i + k = 7\)
  3. \(i + j = 3\)

From \(i + j = 3\), substitute \(j = 3 - i\) into \(j + k = 10\):

\[ 3 - i + k = 10 \implies k = 7 + i. \]

Substitute \(k = 7 + i\) into \(i + k = 7\):

\[ i + (7 + i) = 7 \implies 2i + 7 = 7 \implies i = 0. \]

Using \(i = 0\), calculate \(j\) and \(k\):

\[ j = 3 - i = 3, \quad k = 7 + i = 7. \]

Step 2: Determine the coefficient.

The coefficient is given by:

\[ \frac{10!}{i!j!k!} = \frac{10!}{0! \cdot 3! \cdot 7!}. \]

Simplify:

\[ \frac{10!}{3! \cdot 7!} = \frac{10 \cdot 9 \cdot 8}{3 \cdot 2 \cdot 1} = 120. \]

Conclusion:

The coefficient of \(a^{10}b^{7}c^{3}\) is:

\[ \boxed{120}. \]

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