SIMPLIFIED BINOMIAL

EXPANSIONS
By Josophat Makawa
A pre-year0 of Bachel of Science in Ma ematics at The University of Malawi.

2021/2022
SUCCESS CRETERIA:
By the end of this compilation;

1. You must understand the meaning of a binomial

expression.
2. You must be able to expand a Binomial
Expression using •The Pascal's Triangle
• The Factorial Theorem
• Combination and permutation
3. Solve Numerical problems involving Binomial
Expansions.
 BINOMIAL:
This is an expression in two terms.
E.g. (x+y), (ab+c) and many others.
Recall:

• From ordinally Mathematics,

(a+b) ² = (a+b) (a+b)
= a(a+b) + b(a+b)
= a² + ab + ab + b²
»(a+b) ²= a² + 2ab + b²
Using the techinque above, Expand (a+b)³ and
(a+b)⁴ and so on respectively.

1. (a+b)³ = (a+b)(a+b)² [but (a+b)² = (a²+2ab+b²)]

= (a+b)(a²+2ab+a²)
= a³+3a²b+3ab²+b³

2. (a+b)⁴ = (a+b)(a+b)³
= a⁴+4a³b+6a²b²+4ab³+b⁴
 PRACTICE

Using the same techinique, EXPAND,

1. (a+b)5
2. (a+b)6
 You will find that it will be cumbersome to use
that ordinally method. That, therefore, calls for a
new method. And that is to use the BINOMIAL
THEORIES.

These are formulas designed to simplify the

work of expansion up to power you and above.
THESE ARE:

•Pascal's Coefficients
•Factorial Theorem
•Combinations and Permutations
PASCAL'S COEFFICIENTS

Also known as the Pascal's Triangle.

→this is a triangular shaped table of
numbers displaying coefficients of alligned
powers of (a+b) [the value n in (a+b)ⁿ
Here is the table:
1
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
1 5 10 10 5 1
1 6 15 20 15 6 1
1 7 21 35 35 21 7 1

The coeffients increase from power 0 to power 7

downwards
How to use the Pascal's triangle:

1. Give an equation a new name.

For example, consider the expression (3+2x)⁴.
You will let 3 be equal a and 2x be equal to b.

The new name of the expression is then,

(a+b)4
2. Identify the power.
In our case, the power is 4

3. Check for the coefficients from the PASCAL'S

TRIANGLE TABLE. This makes use of this way
simple. In our case, for power 4, bellow are the
coefficients.

1 4 6 4 1
4. Develop the general formula from the power and
coefficients taken.
Here is the formula↓↓↓

(a+b)⁴ = 1a⁴ + 4a⁴-¹b¹ + 6a⁴-²b² + 4a⁴-³b³ + 1a⁴

(a+b)⁴ = a⁴ +4a³b + 6a²b² + 4ab³ +b⁴

POINTS TO NOTE:
1. The order of coefficients are taken directly as on the
triangle.
2. The power of a decrease from the highest, (n) to
the lowest (0). Whilst of b increase from lowest (0) to
the highest (n)
5. Substitute the values

In the question for example, we substitute 3 for a and

2x for b in the general equation.

In general,
(a+b)⁴ = a⁴ +4a³b + 6a²b² + 4ab³ +b⁴

But a=3 and b= 2x

(3+2x)⁴ = (3)⁴+4(3)³(2x)+6(3)²(2x)²+4(3)(2x)³+(2x)⁴
6. Finally, simplify to its lowest form

(3+2x)⁴ = (3)⁴+4(3)³(2x)+6(3)²(2x)²+4(3)(2x)³+(2x)⁴

(3+2x)⁴=81 + 108(2x) + 54(4x²) + 12(8x³) + 16x⁴

(3+2x)⁴=81+216x+216x²+96x³+16x⁴
Example:

Expand (2+3x)³

Solution
When n = 3, {1, 3, 3, 1} are PASCAL'S
COEFFICIENTS

Let 2 be equal to a and 3x be equal to b.

Expand (2+3x)³ continued//...

(a+b)³ = 1a³ + 3a³-¹b¹ +3a³-²b² + 1b³

= a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b³

Substitute 2 for a and 3x for b.

(2+3x)³ = (2)³ + 3(2)²(3x) + 3(2) (3x)² + (3x)³

= 8 + 12(3x) + 6(9x²) +27x³
=8 + 36x 54x² +27x³
Practice Questions:
A. Epand:
1. (⅔-x)⁴
2. (⅔+x)⁴

B. Using expansions in A (1) and (2), find (⅔-x)⁴(⅔

+x)⁴ up to x²

Point to note: in the question b, when

multiplying the expansions you stop on x².

C. Expand (1+x)8
 Closing Remarks on Pascal's Triangle

You may have noted that as the power

increases to 8 and above, the formula of
PASCAL'S COEFFICIENTS is not functioning
appropriately. But still, the problems in such
large powers are mostly asked.

As such, we must change the way we face the

problems.
FACTORIAL
THEOREM
Introduction:

Given (1+x)ⁿ where n is very large (e.g n=10 and

above) , it will be cumbersome to use the
Pascal's Triangle.

Hence, there is a new, simplified and integrated

measure deduced to solve it, The Factorial
Theorem
This formula works through the
principle of continuous multiplication
and division of positions.

That is, n, n(n-1), n(n-1)(n-2) and so on;

And also 1•2, 1•2•3, 1•2•3•4 which

means 2!, 3!, 4! In that order.
 NOTATION:

Given (1+x)ⁿ; you can expand it as follows:

(1+x)ⁿ = 1 + nx + n(n-1) X² + n(n-1)(n-2) X³ +... +n(n-1)..(n-r) Xⁿ

2! 3! n!

OR
(1+x)ⁿ = 1 + nx + n(n-1) X² + n(n-1)(n-2) X³ +... +n(n-1)..(n-r) Xⁿ
. 1•2 1•2•3 1•2•....•n
Points to Note:
!
• The symbol, , means factorial
Therefore, 1•2 = 2! = 2 factorial

• The symbol, •, in Mathematics means

multiplication.

To make things simple,  we just
punch in factorial on a SCIENTIFIC
CALCULATOR.
Calculation:
Consider the calculator
and button shown
To Find a factorial of a
given number, for
example 2! (Two
Factorial)

You write 2 then Shift

then X-¹ ....

Generally, dial the

number, then SHIFT then
the button with an arrow.
 Example 2:
Expand (1+3x)⁴.
Solution:

(1+x)ⁿ = 1 + nx + n(n-1) X² + n(n-1)(n-2) X³ +... +n(n-1)..(n-r) Xⁿ

. 2! 3! n!
(1+3x)⁴ = 1 +4(3x) + 4(4-1) (3x)² + 4(4-1)(4-2)(3x)³
2! 3!
+ 4(4-1)(4-2)(4-3)(3x)⁴

4!
Example: continued//...

(1+3x)⁴ = 1 + 12x + 4•3 (3x)² + 4•3•2 ( 3x)³ +

2! 3!
4•3•2•1 (3x)⁴
4!
(1+3x)⁴ = 1+ 12x + 6(3x)² + 4(3x)³ + (3x)⁴
(1+3x)⁴ = 1+ 12x + 6(3x)² + 4(3x)³ + (3x)⁴

(1+3x)⁴ = 1 + 12x + 6•9x² + 4•27x³ + 81x⁴

Therefore,

(1+3x)⁴ = 1 +12x + 54x² + 108x³ + 81x⁴

Practice:

Write down and simplify the first three terms of

the expression, (1+3x/2)5
 Example 2:
Expand (2-x/2)³.
(2-x/2)³

The factorial theorem has the format

(1+x)ⁿ. Seeing our question, is in the
form of (a+x)ⁿ.

Does this make it impossible to solve this

question?
The answer is no. But its only complicated as I said
with the PASCAL'S TRIANGLE AS THEY HIT A LARGE
POWER in the first place. The limitation of THE
FACTORIAL THEOREM is that if the question has this
form, (a+x)ⁿ it becomes difficult to expand since you
must change it to this form (1+x)ⁿ before any
calculation...

How do we change then?

SIMPLE!!!

We only use the principle of Algebraic

Factorization. I.e. you factorize (a+x)ⁿ to make
it (1+x)ⁿ to make this FACTORIAL THEOREM
applicable.
 LET'S FACTORIZE (a+x)ⁿ:

To factorize, we use a simple technique. That is we

devide by aͮ

And it becomes :
(a/a + x/a)ⁿ.

The a devided is then brought out of the brackets

with the initial power.

And it becomes :
aⁿ[(1+x/a)ⁿ]
Given aⁿ[(1+x/a)ⁿ]:
You expand the inner part, (1+x/a)ⁿ then
multiply with the outer part, aⁿ.
Expand (2-x/2)³
According to our example, (2-x/2)³, the
Factorization is

2³[(1+x/4)³]

NB:
We have devided by 2 on both terms, 2
and -x/2. Later we have taken 2 outside
the brackets with initial power 3...
Solution.

(1+x)ⁿ = 1 + nx + n(n-1) X² + n(n-1)(n-2) X³ +... +n(n-1)..(n-r) Xⁿ

. 2! 3! n!

2³[(1-x/4)³] = 2³[ 1 + 3(-x/4) + 3•2 (-x/4)² + 3•2•1 (-x/4)³]

2! 3!

2³[(1-x/4)³] = 2³[1 - 3x/4 + 3(x²/16) - x³/64]

2³[(1-x/4)³] = 2³( 1 - 3x/4 + 3x²/16 -3x³/64)

 2³[(1-x/4)³] = 2³( 1- 3x/4 + 3x²/16 - x³/64)

Remove the brackets: multiply by 2³ on every

term

2³[(1-x/4)³] = 2³•1- 2³•3x/4 + 2³•3x²/16t- 2³•x³/64

2³[(1-x/4)³] = 8•1 - 8•3x/4 +8•3x²/16 - 8•x³/64

Therefore,

(2-x/2)³ = 8 - 6x + 3x²/2 - x³/8

 NOTE:
Questions in (a+x)ⁿ can be solved without
factorizing them. However, its through the use of
yet another formula
COMBINATIONS AND
PERMUTATIONS
Introduction:

We then found that the Factorial theorem had a

limitation. That is, when the expression has a
number greater than 1 in the first place, since it
deals with problems in (1+x)ⁿ only.

The use of COMBINATIONS AND

PERMUTATIONS is the best alternative then.
 Have you ever thought of
adding and deviding at the
same time?
Add & Devide

For example, let's get a set of consecutive

numbers, {2, 3, 4}, add them and devide with the
their amount at the same time.

That is,
(2+3+4)
3
 =9
3
=3

Meaning
•adding → combination
•division → permutation
•3→ groups that can be made from those
3 numbers.

Just an example though

The groups are, {2, 3, 4}, {3, 4, 2}, & {4, 2, 3}.

Note:
COMBINATION and PERMUTATIONS
formula in BINOMIAL EXPANSION
works in the similar way with the
Pascal's Triangle, i.e. by providing
coefficients through a certain group
if combinations..
NOTATION & CALCULATION
Combination and
Nn
Permutation is written as;
ⁿCr which is read as n
Choose r.

To calculate, press the

number top given, then
ⁿCr button (bellow
Alpha) then the given
bottom number and
lastly, = button.
 Given ⁿCr;
• n is the power in the given expression.
• r is the position of the term.

For Example,
1. Imagine that the power is 4.
2. The calculation of the 2nd term will be ⁴C2
Which is equal to 6 from a Calculator.
 
NB: The result on ⁿCr is a coefficient as the same as
in Pascal's Triangle.
 GENERAL FORMULA
Expand (a+b)ⁿ

In simple terms,

(a+b) = ⁿC0 aⁿ + ⁿC1 aⁿ-¹b + ⁿC2 aⁿ-²b² +•••+ ⁿCn aⁿ-ⁿbⁿ

From the Expansion above,

You will see that, the power of

"a" starts with highest power ,
n, and decrease to 0.while for
"b" starts with lowest power 0
and increase to n
 EXAMPLE:
Expand (2+3x)³
Solution
Let 2 be a and 3x be b.

(a+b)³ = ³C0 a³ + ³C1 a³-¹b + ³C2a³-²b² + ³C3

a³-³b³
(a+b)³ = a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b³

But a = 2 and b = 3x (substitute)

(2+3x)³ = (2)³ + 3(2)²(3x) + 3(2)(3x)² + (3x)³
= 8 + 12(3x) + 6(9x²) + 27x³

Therefore,
(2+3x)³ = 8 + 36x + 54x² + 27x³
Practice Questions:

1. Expand (3 - ⁿ/4)⁴ and (3+ⁿ/4)⁴ up to x². Using

the Expansions found, express (3 + ⁿ/4)⁴(3 - ⁿ/4)⁴
up to x².

2. Find the coefficient of x⁴ in the Expansion of

(1 + 3x)8
NUMERICAL EXPANSIONS INVOLVING
BINOMIAL THEOREM

Since we know all formulas, that is

```1. Paascals Triangle```
```2. Factorial Theorem```
```3. COMBINATION and PERMUTATIONS```
We will not consider much on the
explanations for formulas.
 EXAMPLE:

Express. 1.35^8
1.. Express it in the form, (a+b)ⁿ or (1+x)ⁿ
In this case, 1.3^8 changes to (1+0.3)^8
(Where is 5 in this case)
2. I will use the Factorial theorem
We must, first of all expand the Expression in
(1+x)ⁿ. Then substitute with the numbers in
question.

NOTE:
When you solve using this method, the answer
must be the same or slightly different with the
result from direct calculator....
Practice Questions:

Express 1. 0.98⁴
2. 7^6

The population of an area is 102. Taking molarity

rate as 0 and that the population increase with
the same amount each year, calculate the
population of the same area after 6 years.
Other Questions

The first three terms in the Expansion of.

(1+x/P)ⁿ in ascending powers of x are 1 + x +
9x²/20. Find the values of n and P.......
THE END!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You f Reading.....
CLOSING REMARKS

This document was designed and created by

someone who has never tested the flavour of a
university. I used the knowledge from my
secondary school Education only. As such, if you
finish reading and find any mistake, don't
criticize. contact me so that I may use your
knowledge too. If you also feel about some
shallow places to add , contact me too.
About the Author
Name: Josophat Makawa Chifundo
Age : 19
Home: Kasungu
Qualification: MSCE (Now Pre-Year0 of bachelor
of science in Mathematics from the university
of Malawi)
Cell & WhatsApp: +265999978828
Email: makawacean6 @gmail.com