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Understanding the Binomial Theorem

This lecture covers the binomial theorem, which is used to expand expressions of the form (a + b)^n, where n is a positive integer. It includes specific objectives for students to state and use the binomial theorem, along with examples and activities for practice. Additionally, it introduces the remainder theorem, explaining how to find remainders when dividing polynomials.

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9 views4 pages

Understanding the Binomial Theorem

This lecture covers the binomial theorem, which is used to expand expressions of the form (a + b)^n, where n is a positive integer. It includes specific objectives for students to state and use the binomial theorem, along with examples and activities for practice. Additionally, it introduces the remainder theorem, explaining how to find remainders when dividing polynomials.

Uploaded by

yarikkirill12
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

LECTURE SIX: BINOMIAL THEOREM

6.1 Introduction
Welcome to the lecture on binomial theorem. We shall begin the study of this lesson by defining
binomial theorem. We will further describe the binomial theorem in detail.

6.2 Specific objectives:


At the end of the lecture you should be able:
1) State the binomial theorem
2) Use the binomial theorem

6.3 Binomial Theorem


The binomial theorem is used to expand expression of the form (a  b)n
The following is the binomial theorem where n is a positive integer:
n n n n n n
(a  b)n    a nb0    a n 1b1    a n 2b 2    a n 3b3  ...    a n r b r  ...    a 0b n
0 1  2  3 r  n

Activity 1
1) Expand the following using binomial theorem.
(a + b) 5
(2x+y) 4
1 5
2) Expand (1  x) using binomial theorem, hence estimate (1.005) 5 correct to 5
2
decimal places.
Solution to activity 1
1) Expand the following using binomial theorem.
5  5 5  5 5  5
(a  b)5    a5 b0    a51b1    a52 b2    a53b3    a54 b 4    a55 b5
0 1  2  3  4  5
 a5  5a4 b  10a3b2  10a2b3  5ab4  b5
 4  4  4  4  4
(2 x  y)4    (2 x) 4 y 0    (2 x)3 y1    (2 x) 2 y 2    (2 x) y 3    y 4
0 1  2  3  4
 16 x4 y 0  32 x3 y  24 x 2 y 2  8xy3  y 4

2) (1  1 x)5   15  1 x    14  1 x    13  1 x    12  1 x    11  1 x    10  1 x 


0 1 2 3 4 5
5 5 5 5 5 5
2  0   2   1  2   2   2   3  2   4   2   5  2 
5 5 5 5 1
 1 x  x 2  x3  x 4  x5
2 2 4 16 32
(1.005)5 can be written as (1+0.005)5
1
 x = 0.005
2
 x  0.01
5 5 5 5 1
(1.005)5  1  (0.01)  (0.01)2  (0.01)3  (0.01) 4  (0.01)5
2 2 4 16 32
= 1 + 0.025 + 0.00025 + 0.00000125 + 0.000000000003125
= 1.02525125
= 1.02525
6.3.1 Long Division of a polynomial
If we are to divide 5x3 – 2x – 36 by x - 2 , we proceed in the same way we do long division in
elementary algebra. i.e.
5 x 2  10 x  18
x  2 5 x 3  0 x 2  2 x  36
5 x 3  10 x 2
10 x 2  2 x  36
10 x 2  20 x
18 x  36
18 x  36
0
If we divide x3  5x2  7 x  1 is divided by x  2 , we proceed as follows
x 2  3x  1
x  2 x3  5 x 2  7 x  1
x3  2 x 2
-3x 2  7 x  1
3 x 2  6 x
x 1
x2
1
Hence the quotient is x 2  3x  1 and the remainder is 1

6.4 Remainder Theorem


The remainder theorem states that the remainder of the division of a polynomial f(x) by a linear
polynomial x –a is equal to f(a). In particular (x – a) is a divisor of f(x) if and only if f(x) = 0. In
other words the remainder theorem states that if a polynomial f(x) is divided by (x – a) until the
remainder does not contain any power of x, the remainder is f (a). If Q(x) is the quotient and R is
the remainder, then we may write

f (x) = (x – a)Q(x) + R
Activity 2
1) Find the remainder when f(x) = 4x5 – x3 + x2 - 3 is divided by
(a) x – 1 (b) x + 2 (c) 2x – 1
2) Find the remainder when 7 x5  x3  1 is divided by x  2

Solution to activity 2
(a) The remainder when f(x) is divided by x – 1
f (1) = (4×15) – (-13) + (12) – 3
=1
(b) The remainder when f(x) is divided by x+2
f (-2) = (4×-25) – (-23) + (-22) – 3
= -119
(c) The remainder when f(x) is divided by 2x - 1
1 1  1 3  1 2
f   = 4×   5) –   +   –3
2 2 2 2
3
= 2
4

Suggestion for further reading


Uppal S.M. (1996). Mathematics for Science

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