(a+b+c)^5 Formula

4 min read Jul 03, 2024
(a+b+c)^5 Formula

The Formula for (a+b+c)^5: A Comprehensive Guide

The binomial theorem is a fundamental concept in algebra that allows us to expand powers of a binomial expression, such as (a+b)^n. However, when dealing with trinomials like (a+b+c)^n, the expansion becomes more complex. In this article, we will explore the formula for (a+b+c)^5 and provide a step-by-step guide on how to derive it.

The Binomial Theorem

Before diving into the formula for (a+b+c)^5, it's essential to understand the binomial theorem. The binomial theorem states that for any positive integer n:

$(a+b)^n = \sum_{k=0}^{n} \binom{n}{k} a^{n-k} b^k$

where $\binom{n}{k}$ is the binomial coefficient, which represents the number of ways to choose k items from a set of n items.

Extending the Binomial Theorem to Trinomials

To expand (a+b+c)^n, we can use the binomial theorem as a starting point. We can rewrite (a+b+c)^n as:

$(a+b+c)^n = ((a+b)+c)^n$

Now, we can apply the binomial theorem to expand the inner binomial expression:

$(a+b)^n = \sum_{k=0}^{n} \binom{n}{k} a^{n-k} b^k$

Substituting this back into the original expression, we get:

$(a+b+c)^n = \sum_{k=0}^{n} \binom{n}{k} (a^{n-k} b^k) c^{n-k}$

The Formula for (a+b+c)^5

Using the above formula, we can now derive the expansion for (a+b+c)^5. We have:

$(a+b+c)^5 = \sum_{k=0}^{5} \binom{5}{k} (a^{5-k} b^k) c^{5-k}$

Expanding the summation, we get:

$(a+b+c)^5 = a^5 + 5a^4b + 10a^3b^2 + 10a^2b^3 + 5ab^4 + b^5 + 5a^4c + 20a^3bc + 30a^2b^2c + 20ab^3c + 5b^4c + 10a^3c^2 + 30a^2bc^2 + 20ab^2c^2 + 10b^3c^2 + 5ac^4 + 10bc^4 + c^5$

This is the formula for (a+b+c)^5.

Conclusion

In this article, we have derived the formula for (a+b+c)^5 using the binomial theorem as a starting point. The formula is a lengthy expression, but it can be used to expand any trinomial expression raised to the power of 5. Understanding this formula is crucial in various mathematical and computational applications.

Featured Posts