binomial expansion

Question

 

for the binomial expansion in descending powers of x of (x^3 - 1/2x)^12

 

a) find the first four terms, simplifying each term.

b) find, in its simplest form,the term independent of x in this expansion 

Answer 1

(x^3 - 1/2x)^12

a) 1st four terms are: x^36 - 6x^32 + (33x^28)/2 - (55x^24)/2

b) the term independent of x is the tenth term