(a+b)3 Formula Proof

2 min read Jul 03, 2024
(a+b)3 Formula Proof

(a+b)^3 Formula Proof

The formula for (a+b)^3 is a fundamental concept in algebra, and it's essential to understand its proof to appreciate its beauty and importance.

The Formula

The formula for (a+b)^3 is:

(a+b)^3 = a^3 + 3a^2b + 3ab^2 + b^3

Proof

To prove this formula, we can use the concept of binomial expansion. The binomial theorem states that:

(a+b)^n = a^n + na^(n-1)b + n(n-1)a^(n-2)b^2 + … + b^n

where n is a positive integer.

Case: n = 3

Let's apply the binomial theorem to the case where n = 3:

(a+b)^3 = a^3 + 3a^2b + 3ab^2 + b^3

To prove this, we can start with the left-hand side of the equation and expand it using the distributive property of multiplication over addition:

(a+b)(a+b)(a+b) = ?

Expanding the above expression, we get:

(a+b)(a^2 + 2ab + b^2) = a^3 + 2a^2b + ab^2 + a^2b + 2ab^2 + b^3

Combine like terms:

a^3 + 3a^2b + 3ab^2 + b^3

which is the right-hand side of the equation.

Conclusion

Therefore, we have successfully proved the formula for (a+b)^3 using the binomial theorem. This formula is a powerful tool in algebra and is widely used in various mathematical and real-world applications.

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