Scribd
Upload
19 views12 pages

Chapter 2 Lesson 2

The document discusses the binomial theorem and how it can be used to calculate binomial coefficients and write binomial expansions. It introduces key concepts like Pascal's triangle and how it relates to binomial coefficients. Examples are provided to demonstrate finding terms in binomial expansions and using Pascal's triangle to determine coefficients.

Uploaded by

Regency Andrei Garcia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
19 views12 pages

Chapter 2 Lesson 2

The document discusses the binomial theorem and how it can be used to calculate binomial coefficients and write binomial expansions. It introduces key concepts like Pascal's triangle and how it relates to binomial coefficients. Examples are provided to demonstrate finding terms in binomial expansions and using Pascal's triangle to determine coefficients.

Uploaded by

Regency Andrei Garcia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

MM 114 – Elementary Number Theory

The Binomial Theorem

What You Should Learn


• Use the Binomial Theorem to calculate binomial
coefficients.
• Use binomial coefficients to write binomial expansions.
• Use Pascal’s Triangle to calculate binomial coefficients.
Binomial Coefficients
We know that a binomial is a polynomial that has two
terms. In this section, you will study a formula that provides
a quick method of raising a binomial to a power.

To begin, look at the expansion of


(x + y) n
for several values of n
(x + y)0 = 1
(x + y)1 = (x + y)
(x + y)2 = x2 + 2xy + y2
(x + y)3 = x3 + 3x2y + 3xy2 + y3
(x + y)4 = x4 + 4x3y + 6x2y2 + 4xy3 + y4 2
Binomial Coefficients
1. The sum of the powers of each term is n. For instance,
in the expansion of
(x + y)5
the sum of the powers of each term is 5.
4+1=5 3+2=5

(x + y)5 = x5 + 5x4y1 + 10x3y2 + 10x2y3 + 5x1y4 + y5

2. The coefficients increase and then decrease in a


symmetric pattern.
The coefficients of a binomial expansion are called
binomial coefficients.
3
Binomial Coefficients
To find them, you can use the Binomial Theorem.

4
Example 1 – Finding Binomial Coefficients

Find each binomial coefficient.

Solution:

5
Expanding a Binomial
Write the expansion of the expression (x + 1)3.

Solution:
The binomial coefficients are

3C0 = 1, 3C1 = 3, 3C2 = 3, and 3C3 = 1.

Therefore, the expansion is as follows.

(x + 1)3 = (1)x3 + (3)x2(1) + (3)x(12) + (1)(13)

= x3 + 3x2 + 3x + 1 6
Finding a Term or Coefficient in a Binomial Expansion
Sometimes you will need to find a specific term in a binomial expansion.

Instead of writing out the entire expansion, you can use the fact that, from the
Binomial Theorem, the (r + 1)th term is

C x n – ry r
n r
Find the sixth term of (a + 2b)8.
Solution:
Because the formula is for the (r + 1)th term, r is one less than the
number of the term you need. So, to find the sixth term in this binomial
expansion, use r = 5,
n = 8, x = a and y = 2b.

nCr xn – ryr = 8C5a8 – 5(2b)5


= 56  a3  (2b)5
= 56(25)a3b5
= 1792a3b5 7
Pascal’s Triangle
There is a convenient way to remember the pattern for
binomial coefficients. By arranging the coefficients in a
triangular pattern, you obtain the following array, which is
called Pascal’s Triangle. This triangle is named after the
famous French mathematician Blaise Pascal (1623–1662).

4 + 6 = 10

15 + 6 = 21
8
Pascal’s Triangle
The first and last number in each row of Pascal’s Triangle
is 1. Every other number in each row is formed by adding
the two numbers immediately above the number. Pascal
noticed that the numbers in this triangle are precisely the
same numbers as the coefficients of binomial expansions,
as follows.

9
Pascal’s Triangle
The top row of Pascal’s Triangle is called the zeroth row
because it corresponds to the binomial expansion

(x + y)0 = 1.

Similarly, the next row is called the first row because it


corresponds to the binomial expansion

(x + y)1 = 1(x) + 1(y).

In general, the nth row of Pascal’s Triangle gives the


coefficients of (x + y) n.

10
Example 8 – Using Pascal’s Triangle
Use the seventh row of Pascal’s Triangle to find the
binomial coefficients.

8C0 8C1 8C2 8C3 8C4 8C5 8C6 8C7 8C8

Solution:

11
Exercise
Expand using the binomial theorem:

Activity

12

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy