Section 11.

5 The Binomial Theorem 841

11.5 THE BINOMIAL THEOREM

What you should learn Binomial Coefficients
• Use the Binomial Theorem to
calculate binomial coefficients. Recall that a binomial is a polynomial that has two terms. In this section, you will study
• Use Pascal’s Triangle to calculate a formula that provides a quick method of raising a binomial to a power. To begin, look
binomial coefficients. at the expansion of x yn for several values of n.
• Use binomial coefficients to write x y0  1
binomial expansions.
x y1  x y
Why you should learn it x y2  x 2 2xy y2
You can use binomial coefficients to
model and solve real-life problems. x y3  x 3 3x 2 y 3xy 2 y3
For instance, in Exercise 91 on page
x y4  x4 4x 3y 6x 2 y 2 4xy 3 y4
847, you will use binomial coefficients
to write the expansion of a model that x y5  x 5 5x 4y 10x 3y 2 10x 2y 3 5xy4 y5
represents the average dollar amounts
of child support collected per case in There are several observations you can make about these expansions.
the United States. 1. In each expansion, there are n 1 terms.
2. In each expansion, x and y have symmetrical roles. The powers of x decrease by 1 in
successive terms, whereas the powers of y increase by 1.
3. The sum of the powers of each term is n. For instance, in the expansion of x y5,
the sum of the powers of each term is 5.
4 15 3 25
© Vince Streano/Corbis

x y5  x 5 5x 4y1 10x 3y 2 10x 2 y 3 5x1y4 y5

4. The coefficients increase and then decrease in a symmetric pattern.
The coefficients of a binomial expansion are called binomial coefficients. To find
them, you can use the Binomial Theorem.

The Binomial Theorem

In the expansion of x yn
x yn  x n nx n1y .. .
nCr x nr y r . . . nxy n1 yn
the coefficient of x nr y r is
n!
nCr  .
n  r!r!

!
n
The symbol is often used in place of n Cr to denote binomial coefficients.
r

For a proof of the Binomial Theorem, see Proofs in Mathematics on page 882.
842 Chapter 11 Sequences, Series, and Probability

Example 1 Finding Binomial Coefficients

T E C H N O LO G Y
Find each binomial coefficient.
Most graphing calculators are
programmed to evaluate nC r .
Consult the user’s guide for your
a. 8C2 b.
10
3 ! c. 7C0 d.
8
8 !
calculator and then evaluate 8C5 .
Solution
You should get an answer of 56.
8! 8 ! 7 ! 6! 8 ! 7
a. 8C2     28
6! ! 2! 6! ! 2! 2!1
10 ! 9 ! 8 ! 7! 10 ! 9 ! 8
!
10 10!
b.     120
3 7! ! 3! 7! ! 3! 3!2!1

!
7! 8 8!
c. 7C0  1 d.  1
7! ! 0! 8 0! ! 8!
Now try Exercise 5.

When r  0 and r  n, as in parts (a) and (b) above, there is a simple pattern for
evaluating binomial coefficients that works because there will always be factorial terms
that divide out from the expression.
2 factors 3 factors

!
8!7 10 10 ! 9 ! 8
8C2  and 
2!1 3 3!2!1

2 factors 3 factors

Example 2 Finding Binomial Coefficients

Find each binomial coefficient.

a. 7C3 b.
7
4 ! c. 12C1 d.
12
11 !
Solution
7!6!5
a. 7C3   35
3!2!1

!
7 7!6!5!4
b.   35
4 4!3!2!1
12
c. 12C1   12
1
12 ! 11! 12
!
12 12!
d.     12
11 1! ! 11! 1! ! 11! 1
Now try Exercise 11.

It is not a coincidence that the results in parts (a) and (b) of Example 2 are the same
and that the results in parts (c) and (d) are the same. In general, it is true that

nCr  nCnr.
This shows the symmetric property of binomial coefficients that was identified earlier.
 Section 11.5 The Binomial Theorem 843

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).
1
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
1 5 10 10 5 1 4 6  10
1 6 15 20 15 6 1
1 7 21 35 35 21 7 1 15 6  21

The first and last numbers in each row of Pascal’s Triangle are 1. Every other number
in each row is formed by adding the two numbers immediately above the number.
Pascal noticed that numbers in this triangle are precisely the same numbers that are the
coefficients of binomial expansions, as follows.
x y0  1 0th row

x y  1x
1
1y 1st row

x y2  1x 2 2xy 1y 2 2nd row

x y  1x
3 3
3x y 2
3xy 2
1y 3
3rd row

x y  1x
4 4
4x y 3
6x y 2 2
4xy 3
1y 4

x y5  1x5 5x4y 10x 3y 2 10x 2 y 3 5xy4 1y 5

x y6  1x 6 6x5y 15x4y 2 20x3y 3 15x 2 y4 6 xy5 1y 6
x y7  1x7 7x 6y 21x 5y 2 35x4y 3 35x3y4 21x 2 y 5 7xy 6 1y7
The top row in Pascal’s Triangle is called the zeroth row because it corresponds to
the binomial expansion x y0  1. Similarly, the next row is called the first row
because it corresponds to the binomial expansion x y1  1 x 1 y. In general,
the nth row in Pascal’s Triangle gives the coefficients of x yn .

Example 3 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
1 7 21 35 35 21 7 1
1 8 28 56 70 56 28 8 1
8C0 8 C1 8C2 8C3 8C4 8C5 8C6 8C7 8C8

Now try Exercise 15.

844 Chapter 11 Sequences, Series, and Probability

HISTORICAL NOTE Binomial Expansions

As mentioned at the beginning of this section, when you write out the coefficients for
a binomial that is raised to a power, you are expanding a binomial. The formulas for
binomial coefficients give you an easy way to expand binomials, as demonstrated in the
next four examples.

Example 4 Expanding a Binomial

Write the expansion of the expression

x 13.

Solution
The binomial coefficients from the third row of Pascal’s Triangle are
1, 3, 3, 1.
Precious Mirror “Pascal’s”
Triangle and forms of the So, the expansion is as follows.
Binomial Theorem were known x 13  1x 3 3x 2 1 3 x 12 1 13
in Eastern cultures prior to the
Western “discovery” of the  x3 3x 2 3x 1
theorem. A Chinese text entitled Now try Exercise 19.
Precious Mirror contains a triangle
of binomial expansions To expand binomials representing differences rather than sums, you alternate signs.
through the eighth power. Here are two examples.
x  13  x 3  3x 2 3x  1
x  1  x  4x
4 4 3
6x 2  4x 1

The property of exponents Example 5 Expanding a Binomial

abm  ambm Write the expansion of each expression.
is used in the solutions to a. 2x  34
Example 5. For instance, in
Example 5(a) b. x  2y4

2x4  24x4  16x 4. Solution

You can review properties of The binomial coefficients from the fourth row of Pascal’s Triangle are
exponents in Section P.2. 1, 4, 6, 4, 1.
So, the expansions are as follows.
a. 2x  34  1 2x4  4 2x3 3 6 2x2 32  4 2x 33 1 34
 16x 4  96x 3 216x 2  216x 81
b. x  2y4  1x 4  4x 3 2y 6x2 2y2  4x 2y3 1 2y4
 x 4  8x 3y 24x 2y2  32xy 3 16y 4
Now try Exercise 31.
 Section 11.5 The Binomial Theorem 845

Example 6 Expanding a Binomial

T E C H N O LO G Y
Write the expansion of x 2 43.
You can use a graphing utility to
check the expansion in Example 6. Solution
Graph the original binomial Use the third row of Pascal’s Triangle, as follows.
expression and the expansion
in the same viewing window.
x 2 43  1 x 23 3 x 22 4 3x 2 42 1 43
The graphs should coincide, as  x6 12x 4 48x 2 64
shown below.
Now try Exercise 33.
200
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 1th term is nCr x nr yr.
−5 5

Example 7 Finding a Term in a Binomial Expansion

−100
a. Find the sixth term of a 2b8.
b. Find the coefficient of the term a6b5 in the expansion of 3a  2b11.

Solution
a. Remember that the formula is for the r 1th term, so 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, as shown.

8 C5 a
85
2b5  56 ! a3 ! 2b5  56 25a 3b5  1792a 3b5.
b. In this case, n  11, r  5, x  3a, and y  2b. Substitute these values to obtain

nCr x nr y r  11C5 3a6 2b5

 462 729a6 32b5
 10,777,536a6b5.
So, the coefficient is 10,777,536.
Now try Exercise 47.

CLASSROOM DISCUSSION
Error Analysis You are a math instructor and receive the following solutions from
one of your students on a quiz. Find the error(s) in each solution. Discuss ways that
your student could avoid the error(s) in the future.
a. Find the second term in the expansion of "2x ! 3y#5.
5"2x#4"3y# 2  720x 4y 2
b. Find the fourth term in the expansion of 12 x 7y .
6

1 2"7y#4  9003.75x 2y 4
6C4 2 x
846 Chapter 11 Sequences, Series, and Probability

11.5 EXERCISES See www.CalcChat.com for worked-out solutions to odd-numbered exercises.

VOCABULARY: Fill in the blanks.
1. The coefficients of a binomial expansion are called ________ ________.
2. To find binomial coefficients, you can use the ________ ________ or ________ ________.
3. The notation used to denote a binomial coefficient is ________ or ________.
4. When you write out the coefficients for a binomial that is raised to a power, you are ________ a ________.

SKILLS AND APPLICATIONS

In Exercises 5–14, calculate the binomial coefficient. In Exercises 45–52, find the specified nth term in the expansion
of the binomial.
5. 5C3 6. 8C6
7. 12C0 8. 20C20 45. x y10, n  4 46. x  y6, n  7
9. 20C15 10. 12C5 47. x  6y5, n  3 48. x  10z7, n  4
49. 4x 3y9, n  8 50. 5a 6b5, n  5
11.
10
4 ! 12.
10
6 ! 51. 10x  3y12, n  10 52. 7x 2y15, n  7

13.
100
98 ! 14.
100
2 ! In Exercises 53–60, find the coefficient a of the term in the
expansion of the binomial.
In Exercises 15–18, evaluate using Pascal’s Triangle. Binomial Term
53. x 3 12
ax5
15.
6
5 ! 16.
9
6 ! 54. x 2 312 ax 8
55. 4x  y10 ax 2y 8
17. 7C4 18. 10C2
56. x  2y10 ax 8y 2
In Exercises 19– 40, use the Binomial Theorem to expand and 57. 2x  5y9 ax4y5
simplify the expression. 58. 3x  4y8 ax 6y 2
19. x 14 20. x 16 59. x 2 y10 ax 8y 6
21. a 64 22. a 55 60. z 2  t10 az 4t 8
23. y  43 24. y  25
In Exercises 61–66, use the Binomial Theorem to expand and
25. x y5 26. c d3
simplify the expression.
27. 2x y3 28. 7a b3
29. r 3s6 30. x 2y4 61. x 53
31. 3a  4b5 32. 2x  5y5 62. 2t  13
33. x 2 y24 34. x 2 y 26 63. x 2
3  y1
33
64. u3
5 25
! !
5 6
1 1
35.
x
y 36.
x
2y 65. 3t  
4 t 4

66. x  2x 4
3
4 5
4

! !
4 5
2 2
37. y 38.  3y
x x
In Exercises 67–72, expand the expression in the difference
39. 2 x  34 5 x  3 2 quotient and simplify.
40. 4x  13  2 4x  14
f "x h# ! f "x#
Difference quotient
In Exercises 41– 44, expand the binomial by using Pascal’s h
Triangle to determine the coefficients. 67. f x  x3 68. f x  x4
41. 2t  s5 42. 3  2z4 69. f x  x6 70. f x  x8
43. x 2y5 44. 3v 26 1
71. f x  x 72. f x 
x
 Section 11.5 The Binomial Theorem 847

In Exercises 73–78, use the Binomial Theorem to expand the 88. To find the probability that the sales representative in
complex number. Simplify your result. Exercise 87 makes four sales if the probability of a sale
with any one customer is 12, evaluate the term
73. 1 i 4 74. 2  i 5
1  12 
4 4
76. 5 9 
3
75. 2  3i 6 8C4 2

in the expansion of 12 
1 8

!
1 3 3
2 .
78. 5  3i
4
77.  i
2 2
89. FINDING A PATTERN Describe the pattern formed
by the sums of the numbers along the diagonal
APPROXIMATION In Exercises 79–82, use the Binomial
segments of Pascal’s Triangle (see figure).
Theorem to approximate the quantity accurate to three
decimal places. For example, in Exercise 79, use the
expansion 1 Row 0

"1.02#8  "1 0.02#8  1 8"0.02# 28"0.02# 2 . . .. 1 1 Row 1

79. 1.028 80. 2.00510 1 2 1 Row 2

81. 2.9912 82. 1.989 1 3 3 1 Row 3

GRAPHICAL REASONING In Exercises 83 and 84, use a 1 4 6 4 1 Row 4

graphing utility to graph f and g in the same viewing window. 1
What is the relationship between the two graphs? Use the
Binomial Theorem to write the polynomial function g in 90. FINDING A PATTERN Use each of the encircled
standard form. groups of numbers in the figure to form a 2 # 2 matrix.
83. f x  x 3  4x, g x  f x 4 Find the determinant of each matrix. Describe the pattern.

84. f x  x 4 4x 2  1, g x  f x  3 1 1

1 2 1
PROBABILITY In Exercises 85–88, consider n independent
trials of an experiment in which each trial has two possible 1 3 3 1
outcomes: “success” or “failure.” The probability of a success
on each trial is p, and the probability of a failure is 1 4 6 4 1
q  1 ! p. In this context, the term n C k p k q n! k in the 1 5 10 10 5 1
expansion of " p q#n gives the probability of k successes in
the n trials of the experiment. 1 6 15 20 15 6 1

85. A fair coin is tossed seven times. To find the probability 91. CHILD SUPPORT The average dollar amounts f t of
of obtaining four heads, evaluate the term child support collected per case in the United States
1 4 12 3
7 C4 2
from 2000 through 2007 can be approximated by the
model
in the expansion of 12 12  .
7

f t  4.702t2 110.18t 1026.7, 0 " t " 7

86. The probability of a baseball player getting a hit during
1
any given time at bat is 4. To find the probability that the where t represents the year, with t  0 corresponding to
player gets three hits during the next 10 times at bat, 2000. (Source: U.S. Department of Health and
evaluate the term Human Services)
1  34 
3 7
(a) You want to adjust the model so that t  0
10C3 4
corresponds to 2005 rather than 2000. To do this,
in the expansion of 4 4  .
1 3 10
you shift the graph of f five units to the left to obtain
87. The probability of a sales representative making a sale g t  f t 5. Write g t in standard form.
with any one customer is 13. The sales representative (b) Use a graphing utility to graph f and g in the same
makes eight contacts a day. To find the probability of viewing window.
making four sales, evaluate the term
(c) Use the graphs to estimate when the average child
1 4 23 4
8C4 3 support collections exceeded $1525.
in the expansion of 13 
2 8
3 .
848 Chapter 11 Sequences, Series, and Probability

92. DATA ANALYSIS: ELECTRICITY The table shows the 99. GRAPHICAL REASONING Which two functions
average prices f t (in cents per kilowatt hour) of residential have identical graphs, and why? Use a graphing utility
electricity in the United States from 2000 through 2007. to graph the functions in the given order and in the
(Source: Energy Information Administration) same viewing window. Compare the graphs.
(a) f x  1  x3
Year Average price, f "t# (b) g x  1  x3
2000 8.24 (c) h x  1 3x 3x 2 x3
2001 8.58 (d) k x  1  3x 3x 2  x 3
2002 8.44 (e) p x  1 3x  3x 2 x 3
2003 8.72
2004 8.95 100. CAPSTONE How do the expansions of x yn
2005 9.45 and x  yn differ? Support your explanation with
2006 10.40 an example.
2007 10.64
PROOF In Exercises 101–104, prove the property for all
(a) Use the regression feature of a graphing utility to
integers r and n where 0 " r " n.
find a cubic model for the data. Let t represent the
year, with t  0 corresponding to 2000. 101. nCr  nCn r
(b) Use the graphing utility to plot the data and the 102. nC0  nC1 nC 2  . . . ± nCn  0
model in the same viewing window. 103. n 1Cr  nCr nCr 1
(c) You want to adjust the model so that t  0 104. The sum of the numbers in the nth row of Pascal’s
corresponds to 2005 rather than 2000. To do this, Triangle is 2n.
you shift the graph of f five units to the left to obtain
g t  f t 5. Write g t in standard form. 105. Complete the table and describe the result.
(d) Use the graphing utility to graph g in the same
viewing window as f. n r nC r nCnr

(e) Use both models to estimate the average price in 9 5  

2008. Do you obtain the same answer?
(f) Do your answers to part (e) seem reasonable?
7 1  
Explain. 12 4  
(g) What factors do you think may have contributed to 6 0  
the change in the average price?
10 7  
EXPLORATION
What characteristic of Pascal’s Triangle is illustrated
by this table?
TRUE OR FALSE? In Exercises 93–95, determine whether
the statement is true or false. Justify your answer. 106. Another form of the Binomial Theorem is

93. The Binomial Theorem could be used to produce each nxn1y n n  1xn2y2
x yn  xn
row of Pascal’s Triangle. 1! 2!
94. A binomial that represents a difference cannot always n n  1 n  2xn3y3 . . . yn.
be accurately expanded using the Binomial Theorem. 3!
95. The x 10-term and the x14-term of the expansion of Use this form of the Binomial Theorem to expand and
x2 312 have identical coefficients. simplify each expression.
96. WRITING In your own words, explain how to form (a) 2x 36
the rows of Pascal’s Triangle. (b) x ay4
97. Form rows 8–10 of Pascal’s Triangle. (c) x  ay5
98. THINK ABOUT IT How many terms are in the expansion (d) 1 x12
of x yn ?