Binomial Theorem - Finding Specific Terms and Coefficients

Greeting's everyone, and Happy Valentine's Day! I'm Lyka, and if you don't know me, you can find me on this area of the class...

I'll be continuing what Maridel discussed yesterday in her blog about Binomial Theorem! BOOYAH!

Previously, we learned about binomial expansion.

In order to find a specific term, we can use binomial expansion (which would most likely be tedious if we are given a big number for a power), or we can use this formula:

For example, in one of the examples we encountered, we were asked to find the 14th term of (x+y)¹⁶. 

• First, we listed down what we can plug into the formula above! 
• Plug in what you have to the formula and... voilà! You found the 14th term! WOOHOO! 

And that is it! YAY! But, just to remind you that, in the provincial exam, you may encounter questions that ask you to find the coefficient of the term, or what n is, and it may mess you up! So to help you out, keep the following points in mind:

• Read the question. Out loud. Sometimes how the question sounds like in your head does not actually sound that way.
• See how much you could do within the time frame of calculating it. (For example, with calculating the coefficient of a term, you could either write down Pascal's triangle to find it, or use binomial expansion.)
• Be flexible with the formula in finding what they're asking for. YEAH!

WOOT WOOT! You made it to the end of this post!

Remember...

Peace like a river,

Lyka