College Algebra
Tutorial 54: The Binomial Theorem
Learning Objectives
Introduction
In this tutorial we will mainly be going over the Binomial Theorem. To get to that point I will first be showing you what a factorial is. This is needed to complete problems in this section. This will lead us into the concept of finding a binomial coefficient, which incorporates factorials into it's formula. From there we will put it together into the Binomial Theorem. This theorem gives us a formula that enables us to find the expansion of a binomial raised to a power, without having to multiply the whole thing out. This theorem incorporates the binomial coefficient formula. You will see that everything in this tutorial intertwines. I think that you are ready to move ahead.
Tutorial
Factorial
!
So if I wanted to write 7 factorial it would be written as 7!.
In general, n! = n(n - 1)(n - 2)(n - 3)...(1)
Most, (if not all), of you will have a factorial key on your calculator. It looks like this: !
If you have a graphing calculator, it will be hidden under the MATH menu screen and then select your Probability screen - there you should find !
Some calculators don't have one, so I will show you how to simplify the problems in case you don't have that key on your calculator.
0! Has a special definition attached
with it. 0! = 1
If you don't have this key you will have to enter the definition in as follows: 7! = (7)(6)(5)(4)(3)(2)(1) = 5040
Either way 7! = 5040.
For nonnegative integers n and r, with n > r,
a binomial coefficient is defined by
Looking at the definition of binomial coefficient, what is n?
If you said 20, you are correct!!! n is the top number, which in this case is 20.
Looking at the definition of binomial coefficient, what is r?
If you said 3, give yourself a pat on the back!!!! r is the bottom number, which in this case is 3.
Putting those values into the definition of a binomial coefficient
we get:
*n = 20, r = 3
*Eval. inside ( )
*Expand 20! until it gets to 17!
which is the larger ! in the den.
*Cancel out 17!'s
If you don't have a factorial key, you can simplify it as shown above and then enter it in. It is probably best to simplify it first, because in some cases the numbers can get rather large, and it would be cumbersome to multiply all those numbers one by one.
The final answer is 1140.
Looking at the definition of binomial coefficient, what is n?
If you said 10, you are correct!!! n is the top number, which in this case is 10.
Looking at the definition of binomial coefficient, what is r?
If you said 10, give yourself a pat on the back!!!! r is the bottom number, which in this case is 10.
Putting those values into the definition of a binomial coefficient
we get:
*n = 10, r = 10
*Eval. inside ( )
*0! = 1
*Cancel out 10!'s
If you don't have a factorial key, you can simplify it as shown above and then enter it in. It is probably best to simplify it first, because in some cases the numbers can get rather large, and it would be cumbersome to multiply all those numbers one by one.
The final answer is 1.
Looking at the definition of binomial coefficient, what is n?
If you said 5, you are correct!!! n is the top number, which in this case is 5.
Looking at the definition of binomial coefficient, what is r?
If you said 0, give yourself a pat on the back!!!! r is the bottom number, which in this case is 0.
Putting those values into the definition of a binomial coefficient
we get:
*n = 5, r = 0
*Eval. inside ( )
*0! = 1
*Cancel out 5!'s
If you don't have a factorial key, you can simplify it as shown above and then enter it in. It is probably best to simplify it first, because in some cases the numbers can get rather large, and it would be cumbersome to multiply all those numbers one by one.
The final answer is 1.
For any positive integer n:
The top number of the binomial coefficient is always n, which is the exponent on your binomial.
The bottom number of the binomial coefficient starts with 0 and goes up 1 each time until you reach n, which is the exponent on your binomial.
The 1st term of the expansion has a (first term of the binomial) raised to the n power, which is the exponent on your binomial. From there a's exponent goes down 1, until the last term, where it is being raised to the 0 power; which is why you don't see it written.
The first term of the expansion has b (second
term of the binomial) raised to the 0 power, which is why you don't see
it written. From there b's exponent goes
up 1, until the last term, where it is being raised to the nth
power, which is the exponent on your binomial.
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is a?
If you said x, you are correct!!! a is the first term of the binomial, which in this case is x.
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is b?
If you said 7, give yourself a pat on the back!!!! b is the second term of the binomial, which in this case is 7.
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is n?
If you said 5, give yourself a high five!!!! n is the exponent on the binomial, which in this case is 5.
Putting those values into the Binomial Theorem we get:
*a = x, b = 7, n = 5
*Use definition of
binomial coefficient
*Eval. 7's raised to exponents
*Eval. inside ( )
*Expand num. until it gets to
larger ! in the den.
*Cancel out !'s
*Simplify
If you don't have a factorial key, you can simplify it as shown above and then enter it in. It is probably best to simplify it first, because in some cases the numbers can get rather large, and it would be cumbersome to multiply all those numbers one by one.
So our final answer is .
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is a?
If you said ,
you are correct!!! a is the first term
of the binomial, which in this case is .
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is b?
If you said ,
give yourself a pat on the back!!!! b is the second term of the binomial, which in this case is .
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is n?
If you said 3, give yourself a high five!!!! n is the exponent on the binomial, which in this case is 3.
Putting those values into the Binomial Theorem we get:
*a = x^3, b = 3y^2, n = 3
*Use definition of binomial coefficient
*Eval. x^3's and
3y^2's raised to exponents
*Eval. inside ( )
*Expand num. until it gets to larger ! in the den.
*Cancel out !'s
*Simplify
If you don't have a factorial key, you can simplify it as shown above and then enter it in. It is probably best to simplify it first, because in some cases the numbers can get rather large, and it would be cumbersome to multiply all those numbers one by one.
So our final answer is .
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is a?
If you said 5x, you are correct!!! a is the first term of the binomial, which in this case is 5x.
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is b?
If you said -2y, give yourself a pat on the back!!!! b is the second term of the binomial, which in this case is -2y.
Be careful here. The way the Binomial Theorem is written, whatever
sign is in front of b is part of b's
value. Since there was a - in front of 2y, b's value includes the -.
Looking at the Binomial Theorem, what is n?
If you said 4, give yourself a high five!!!! n is the exponent on the binomial, which in this case is 4.
Putting those values into the Binomial Theorem we get:
*a = 5x, b = -2y,
n = 4
*Use definition of
binomial coefficient
*Eval. 5x's
and -2y's raised to exponents
*Eval. inside ( )
*Expand num. until it gets to
larger ! in the den.
*Cancel out !'s
*Simplify
If you don't have a factorial key, you can simplify it as shown above and then enter it in. It is probably best to simplify it first, because in some cases the numbers can get rather large, and it would be cumbersome to multiply all those numbers one by one.
So our final answer is .
Finding a Particular Term in a Binomial Expansion
The rth term of the expansion of is
The top number of the binomial coefficient is n, which is the exponent on your binomial.
The bottom number of the binomial coefficient is r - 1, where r is the term number.
a is the first term of the binomial and its exponent is n - r + 1, where n is the exponent on the binomial and r is the term number.
b is the second term of the binomial and
its exponent is r - 1, where r is the term number.
Looking at the rth term expansion formula, what is n?
If you said 6, you are correct!!! n is the exponent on your binomial, which in this case is 6.
Looking at the rth term expansion formula, what is r?
If you said 4, give your self a pat on the back!!!! r is the number of the term to be found, which in this case is 4.
Looking at the rth term expansion formula, what is a?
If you said 3x, you
are correct!!! a is the first term of
the binomial, which in this case is 3x.
Looking at the rth term expansion formula, what is b?
If you said y, give yourself a pat on the
back!!!! b is the second term of
the binomial, which in this case is y.
Putting those values into the rth term
expansion formula we get:
*Use definition of binomial
coefficient
*Eval. inside ( )
*Expand 6! until it gets to 3!
which is the larger ! in the den.
*Cancel out !'s
*Simplify
If you don't have a factorial key, you can simplify it as shown above and then enter it in. It is probably best to simplify it first, because in some cases the numbers can get rather large, and it would be cumbersome to multiply all those numbers one by one.
This would tell us that the 4th term of the binomial
would be .
Looking at the rth term expansion formula, what is n?
If you said 9, you are correct!!! n is the exponent on your binomial, which in this case is 9.
Looking at the rth term expansion formula, what is r?
If you said 5, give your self a pat on the back!!!! r is the number of the term to be found, which in this case is 5.
Looking at the rth term expansion formula, what is a?
If you said ,
you are correct!!! a is the first term
of the binomial, which in this case is .
Looking at the rth term expansion formula, what is b?
If you said -1/2, give yourself a pat on the back!!!! b is the second term of the binomial, which in this case is -1/2.
Be careful here. The way the formula for the rth term of a binomial
expansion is written, whatever sign is in front of b is part of b's value. Since there was
a - in front of 1/2, b's value includes the
-.
Putting those values into the rth term
expansion formula we get:
*Use definition of binomial
coefficient
*Eval. inside ( )
*Expand 9! until it gets to 5!
which is the larger ! in the den.
*Cancel out !'s
*Simplify
If you don't have a factorial key, you can simplify it as shown above and then enter it in. It is probably best to simplify it first, because in some cases the numbers can get rather large, and it would be cumbersome to multiply all those numbers one by one.
This would tell us that the 5th term of the binomial would be .
Practice Problems
To get the most out of these, you should work the problem out on your own and then check your answer by clicking on the link for the answer/discussion for that problem. At the link you will find the answer as well as any steps that went into finding that answer.
Practice Problems 1a - 1b: Evaluate the binomial coefficient.
Practice Problems 2a - 2b: Use the Binomial Theorem to expand the binomial. Simplify the results.
Practice Problems 3a - 3b: Find the given term of the expansion. Simplify the results.
3a. ; fifth term
(answer/discussion to 3a)3b. ; fourth term
(answer/discussion to 3b)
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Last revised on May 19, 2011 by Kim Seward.
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