L10

3.2 Binomial expansion

Learning outcomes :

At the end of the topic, students should be able to :

(d) Determine the expansion of (1 + x)n for x where n

is a rational number l

1
 Expand ( 1 + x )n where n is a
 negative integer or rational number

n is a positive integer

(1+b)n= 1+nb+ n(n-1) b2 + n  n-1 n-2  b3 +...+bn

2! 3!
l
n is negative or rational number

(1+b) = 1+nb +
n n(n-1)
b +
2 n  n-1 n-2  b3 +...
2! 3!
and the expansion valid for b <1
-1< b <1 2
 Example 1

Find the first FOUR terms in the expansion of the

following functions in ascending power of x and state
the value of x for which the expansion are valid,
1
1
a) 1+ x  4 b) l
1+2x 
4

Solution
1
a) (1+ x) =4

3
l

4
b) 1+2x  =
-4

5
 Expand (a + b)n where n is
 negative integer or rational number
 convert it to standard form !!!

n n
  bl   n  b
a + b
n
= a  1+   = a  1+ 
  a   a

and the expansion valid for

b
<1
a
6
Example 2

Find the first FOUR terms in the expansion of the

following functions in ascending power of x and
state the value of x for which the expansion are valid,
1
(a)  2 + x 
-2
l
(b)  8-x  3

Solution

7
l

8
l

9
 1
b) (8- x) =
3

10
l

11
 l

Example 3
1
Expand 1-2x  2 in ascending powers of x, up to the
1
term in x3. By letting x = in this series, evaluate
100
2 correct to 5 decimal places.
12
Solution

13
l

14
l

15
More examples of expansion of ( 1 + x )n where n
is a negative integer or rational number, please
scan

More examples of validity lof expansion of ( 1 + x )n

where n is a negative integer or rational number, please
scan

Let’s try tutorial questions 16