Chapter 11: Problem 18
Use the binomial formula to expand each binomial. $$(x+y)^{8}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expansion is \(x^8 + 8x^7y + 28x^6y^2 + 56x^5y^3 + 70x^4y^4 + 56x^3y^5 + 28x^2y^6 + 8xy^7 + y^8\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Formula
The binomial expansion formula is given by \((a + b)^n = \sum_{k=0}^{n} {n \choose k} a^{n-k} b^{k}\). In this problem, \(a = x\), \(b = y\), and \(n = 8\).
02
Apply the Binomial Coefficients
The coefficients for each term in the expansion are represented by \({8 \choose k}\), where \(k\) runs from 0 to 8. We will use these coefficients in the next steps.
03
Expand the Terms
Consider each term in the expansion as \({8 \choose k} x^{8-k} y^k\) for \(k = 0, 1, 2, \ldots, 8\).
04
Calculate the Coefficients
Compute \({8 \choose k}\) for each \(k\):- \({8 \choose 0} = 1\)- \({8 \choose 1} = 8\)- \({8 \choose 2} = 28\)- \({8 \choose 3} = 56\)- \({8 \choose 4} = 70\)- \({8 \choose 5} = 56\)- \({8 \choose 6} = 28\)- \({8 \choose 7} = 8\)- \({8 \choose 8} = 1\).
05
Form the Expansion
Combine the coefficients with the terms to form the expansion: the expansion is \(x^8 + 8x^7y + 28x^6y^2 + 56x^5y^3 + 70x^4y^4 + 56x^3y^5 + 28x^2y^6 + 8xy^7 + y^8\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Binomial Theorem
The binomial theorem is a fundamental principle in algebra that helps us expand expressions in the form \((a + b)^n\). In this theorem, each term in the expansion can be described using binomial coefficients, which makes it easier to calculate the powers of a binomial expression. For our given problem, the binomial expansion of \((x + y)^8\) means applying the theorem and using the sum of binomial coefficients to find the expanded terms.
- The expression consists of two terms: \(x\) and \(y\), raised to the 8th power.
- We calculate each term's contribution by raising \(x\) to decreasing powers while increasing the power of \(y\), starting from 0 up to 8.
Binomial Coefficients
Binomial coefficients are central to the binomial theorem. These coefficients determine the proportional weight of each term in the expansion. In our expression \((x + y)^8\), the binomial coefficients are generated by \({n \choose k}\) where \(n\) is the power and \(k\) is the term index.
- Binomial coefficients can be easily found using Pascal's Triangle or calculations where \({n \choose k} = \frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!}\).
- They symmetrically increase to a midpoint and then decrease, as seen in the sequence: 1, 8, 28, 56, 70, 56, 28, 8, 1.
Combinatorics
Combinatorics plays a crucial role when dealing with binomial expansions. It involves calculating the number of ways to choose elements from a set, which is exactly what binomial coefficients represent. Understanding this concept can make it easier to solve problems involving binomial expansions.
- In the expression \((x + y)^8\), combinatorics helps us understand the 'choosing' process involved in the indices of terms.
- The coefficients \({8 \choose k}\) reflect the number of ways to choose \(k\) elements from a set of 8.
Algebra
Algebra is the language that wraps together all these concepts, giving a structured approach to problem-solving. Using algebraic principles, we can rearrange, expand, and simplify expressions like binomials.
- The algebraic process of expanding \((x + y)^8\) involves understanding powers, terms, and coefficients.
- It allows us to express complicated expressions in simpler, expanded forms while obeying the rules of operations and exponents.