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Binomial Theorem Notes PDF

The binomial theorem provides a formula for expanding algebraic expressions of the form (a + b)^n, where a and b are numbers or variables and n is a positive integer. It states that the coefficients in the expanded expression are given by the binomial coefficients from Pascal's triangle. The document outlines Pascal's triangle, binomial coefficients (nCr), and provides examples of using the binomial theorem to expand expressions like (x + 3)^4 and (1 + x)^n.

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Matthew Keepin
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995 views3 pages

Binomial Theorem Notes PDF

The binomial theorem provides a formula for expanding algebraic expressions of the form (a + b)^n, where a and b are numbers or variables and n is a positive integer. It states that the coefficients in the expanded expression are given by the binomial coefficients from Pascal's triangle. The document outlines Pascal's triangle, binomial coefficients (nCr), and provides examples of using the binomial theorem to expand expressions like (x + 3)^4 and (1 + x)^n.

Uploaded by

Matthew Keepin
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
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Binomial Theorem

The Problem

When asked to expand brackets with low powers (2 or 3), we can do it relatively quickly and
easily.

● (x + 4)2 = x2 + 8x + 16
● (y + 2)3 = y 3 + 6y 2 + 12y + 8

What happens when we are asked to do this with bigger powers?

● (x + 3)4 = (x + 3)(x + 3)(x + 3)(x + 3)


= (x + 3)(x + 3)(x2 + 6x + 9)
= (x + 3)(x3 + 6x2 + 9x + 3x2 + 18x + 27)
= (x + 3)(x3 + 9x2 + 27x + 27)
= x4 + 9x3 + 27x2 + 27x + 3x3 + 27x2 + 81x + 81
= x4 + 12x3 + 54x2 + 108x + 81

In order to expand brackets like the one above more quickly we must use the ​Binomial
Expansion/Binomial Theorem.

Pascal’s Triangle

Firstly we must be able to construct Pascal’s Triangle.


These numbers form the ​coefficients​ of the terms in the Binomial Expansion.

nCr - Combinations

The numbers in Pascal’s Triangle are a quick way of working out numbers in the form

nCr =

Binomial Expansion

In general, we wish to expand: (a + b)n ​where a and b are numbers or variables and n is a
positive​ ​integer.

General Formula:

Example

(x + 3)4 = (4C0)x4 + (4C1)x3 (3) + (4C2)x2 (3)2 + (4C3)x(3)3 + (4C4)(3)4


= 1x4 + 4x3 (3) + 6x2 (9) + 4x(27) + 1(81)
1 4 6 4 1 ​←​Notice the coefficients are the 4th line of
Pascal’s Triangle
= x4 + 12x3 + 54x2 + 108x + 81
The ​Particular ​Binomial Expansion

This is for (1 + x)n , where n can take any value positive or negative, and x is a fraction
− 1 < x < 1 or simply |x| < 1 .

n(n−1)x2 n(n−1)(n−2)x3 n(n−1)(n−2)(n−3)x4


(1 + x)n ≈ 1 + nx
1! + 2! + 3! + 4! + ...

Example

(1 + 2a)3 : Here x = 2a .
Expand the above in ascending powers of a until the a2 term.

2
(1 + 2a)3 ≈ 1 + 3(2a)
1!
+ 3(2)(2a)
2!
+ ...
≈ 1 + 6a + 12a2 + ...

Example

Find the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of (1 + 3x)5

5(3x) 5(4)(3x)2 5(4)(3)(3x)3


(1 + 3x)5 ≈ 1 + 1! + 2! + 3! + ...

We only need to look at the 4th term as it contains x3 .

3
5(4)(3)(3x)3 60(3x)
3!
= 6
= 10(3x)3 = 10(27)x3 = 270x3 .

Hence the coefficient of x3 = 270.

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