BINOMIAL EXPANSION OF (a + b)n, where n < 0 or n = fractions Formula for binomial series: ,

where n is a positive integer and

=
6 in ascending power of x as far as the term (1 2 x ) 3

Example 1: Expand (a) (1 x) 6 (b) 1 2 x (c) in x3.

A. Binomial expansion for power n is negative integer or fraction If n is a fraction or negative integer, then

(a + bx)n = , provided |bx| < |a|.

n(n 1) 2 n(n 1)(n 2) 3 n(n 1)(n 2)...(n r ) r x x ... + x + 2! 3! r! ,where n is a real number, and |x| < 1.

(1 + x)n = 1 + nx +

Example 2: Find the binomial expansion of 4 3x 2

up to and including the term in x4.

B. Approximations We can use binomial expansion to find numerical approximations to square roots and other calculations, provided x is much smaller than 1. Example 3:
1

Expand (8 3x) 3 in ascending power of x as far as the term in x3, stating the values of x for which the expansion is valid. Hence obtain an approximate value for
3

8.72 .

C.

Further binomial expansions

Example 4

Assuming that x is so small that terms in x3 and higher may be neglected, find a quadratic approximation to
1 x ,stating the values of x for which your answer is valid. 1 2x

Example 5
2 Given the function f(x), 4 x 3x 2 . ( x 1)( x 2 2) (i) Express f(x) in partial functions. (ii) Hence show that when x is sufficiently small that terms in x4 and higher powers of x to be neglected,

Ex 5: Binomial Expansions 1. Find the expansion of the following in ascending powers of x up to and including the term in x2. (a) (1 + 4x)-1 (b) (1 2x)-3 2. Find the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of the following. (a) (b) (c)

3. Find the first four terms in the expansion of each of the following in ascending powers of x. State the interval of values of x for which each expansion is valid.
(a)
f ( x) 1

(b)
1 7 x x 2 x3 . 2 4

(c)

(d)

(e)

Ex 5: Binomial Expansions 1. Find the expansion of the following in ascending powers of x up to and including the term in x2. (a) (1 + 4x)-1 (b) (1 2x)-3 2. Find the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of the following. (a) (b) (c)

3. Find the first four terms in the expansion of each of the following in ascending powers of x. State the interval of values of x for which each expansion is valid. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Ex 5: Binomial Expansions 1. Find the expansion of the following in ascending powers of x up to and including the term in x2. (a) (1 + 4x)-1 (b) (1 2x)-3 2. Find the coefficient of x3 in the expansion of the following. (a) (b) (c)

3. Find the first four terms in the expansion of each of the following in ascending powers of x. State the interval of values of x for which each expansion is valid. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

Exercise 6: Binomial expansion 1. Expand (1 2 x) in ascending powers of x as far as the term in x3, stating the values of x for which the expansion is valid. Hence obtain approximate value for: (a) 4 1.4 , (b) 1.08 4 .
1

1 4

2. Expand 1 3 x 2 in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x3, simplifying the coefficients. [Nov 2004 4 marks]
1

3. Expand

2 x coefficients. [June 2002 4 marks]

3

in ascending powers of x, up to and including the term in x2, simplifying the

Expand the given function in ascending powers of x up to the term in x3. 1 1 (a) 1 2 x (b) 1 x (c) 1 2 x (d) (e) 2 1 2x 1 x x2 1 4x 2 x 1 x x2 4. 5. (a) Assuming that x is so small that terms in x3 and higher may be neglected, find a quadratic approximation to the given function, stating the values of x for which your answer is valid.
1 x 1 x

(b)

8 x 1 3x

(c)

1 (1 x)(3 x)

6.

Given the function f(x), a) b)

6 7x . (2 x)(1 x 2 )
f(x)

Express f(x) in partial functions. Hence show that when x is sufficiently small for x4 and higher powers of x to be neglected, 1 15 (Nov 2002 P3) 3 5x x 2 x 3 .
2 4

7.

(Nov 2005 P3) 8.

(Jun 2006 P3) 9.

(Jun 2004 P3) 10.