(Back to the College Algebra Homepage)

College Algebra
Tutorial 54:
The Binomial Theorem

Learning Objectives

After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:

1. Evaluate a factorial.
2. Find a binomial coefficient.
3. Use the Binomial Theorem to expand a binomial raised to a power.

4. Find the rth term of a binomial expansion.

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
!

The factorial symbol is the exclamation point: !

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

Example 1: Find 7!

If you have a ! key on your calculator you simply press 7 and then ! and
in some cases you may have to also press your enter or = key.

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.

We needed to know about factorials because it is used in the formula for

binomial coefficients, which is our next topic.
 Binomial Coefficient

For nonnegative integers n and r, with n > r,

a binomial coefficient is defined by

This formula can be used to find the coefficient of various terms of a binomial
that has been expanded. Believe it or not, it can save you a lot of time if you are
needing to know what polynomial you get if you raise a binomial to a large
power. It can be very time consuming and cumbersome to multiply out a
binomial that is raised to the 6th, 10th, 20th power, etc... This formula is going
to lead us into Binomial Theorem which gives us a shortcut way of expanding a
binomial.

Example 2: Evaluate the binomial coefficient .

Looks like we are going to need to use the definition of a binomial

coefficient to help us out on this.

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 have a factorial key, you can put it in as 20! divided by 17!
divided by 3! and then press enter or =.

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.

Example 3: Evaluate the binomial coefficient .

Looks like we are going to need to use the definition of a binomial

coefficient to help us out on this.
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 have a factorial key, you can put it in as 10! divided by 0!

divided by 10! and then press enter or =.

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.

 Example 4: Evaluate the binomial coefficient .

Looks like we are going to need to use the definition of a binomial

coefficient to help us out on this.

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 have a factorial key, you can put it in as 5! divided by 5!

divided by 0! and then press enter or =.
 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.

Binomial Theorem

For any positive integer n:

Some things to note about this theorem:

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.

Example 5: Use the Binomial Theorem to expand the

binomial . Simplify the result.
Looks like we are going to need to use the Binomial Theorem to help
us out on this.

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 have a factorial key, you can put in the binomial coefficient
part of each term as the (top number)! divided by the (first number
in the denominator) ! divided by the (second number in the
denominator)! and then press enter or =.

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 .

Example 6: Use the Binomial Theorem to expand the

binomial . Simplify the result.

Looks like we are going to need to use the Binomial Theorem to help
us out on this.

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 have a factorial key, you can put in the binomial coefficient
part of each term as the (top number)! divided by the (first number
in the denominator) ! divided by the (second number in the
denominator)! and then press enter or =.

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 .

Example 7: Use the Binomial Theorem to expand the

binomial . Simplify the result.

Looks like we are going to need to use the Binomial Theorem to help
us out on this.

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
 If you have a factorial key, you can put in the binomial coefficient
part of each term as the (top number)! divided by the (first number
in the denominator) ! divided by the (second number in the
denominator)! and then press enter or =.

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

Some things to note about the rth term:

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.
 Example 8: Find the fourth term of the expansion .
Simplify the result.

Looks like we are going to need to use the rth term expansion
formula to help us out on this.

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:
 *n = 6, r = 4, a = 3x, b = y

*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 have a factorial key, you can put the binomial coefficient in
as 6! divided by 3! divided by 3! and then press enter or =.

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 .
 Example 9: Find the fifth term of the expansion . Simplify
the result.

Looks like we are going to need to use the rth term expansion
formula to help us out on this.

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:
 *n = 9, r = 5, a = x^2, b = -1/2

*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 have a factorial key, you can put the binomial coefficient in
as 9! divided by 5! divided by 4! and then press enter or =.

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

These are practice problems to help bring you to the next level. It will allow
you to check and see if you have an understanding of these types of problems.
Math works just like anything else, if you want to get good at it, then you
need to practice it. Even the best athletes and musicians had help along the
way and lots of practice, practice, practice, to get good at their sport or
instrument. In fact there is no such thing as too much practice.

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:

Problems 1a - 1b: Evaluate the binomial

coefficient.

1a. 1b.
(answer/discussion to 1a) (answer/discussion to 1b)

Practice Problems 2a - 2b:

Problems 2a - 2b: Use the Binomial

 Theorem to expand the binomial. Simplify
the results.

2a. 2b.
(answer/discussion to 2a) (answer/discussion to 2b)

Practice Problems 3a - 3b:

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)

Need Extra Help on These Topics?

There were no good websites found to help us with the topics on this page.

Go to Get Help Outside the Classroom found in Tutorial 1: How to Succeed

in a Math Class for some more suggestions.
 (Back to the College Algebra Homepage)

All contents copyright (C) 2002, WTAMU and Kim Peppard. All rights reserved.
Last revised on April 18, 2003 by Kim Peppard.