Binomial Theorem
Lesson · Intermediate
Algebra: Expressions & Identities
Write
To obtain a term , we must choose from exactly of the factors and choose from the remaining factors.
There are
ways to choose the factors that contribute . Therefore, the coefficient of is .
Hence,
Find the coefficient of in
The general term is
We need
Thus the coefficient is
Find the constant term in
A general term is
For the constant term,
So
Hence the constant term is
Since their sum is , each is equal to .
Differentiate
Then
Set :
Differentiate twice:
Setting :
Since
we obtain
For example, the coefficient of in
is
Because
the coefficients in a binomial expansion are symmetric.
For example,