(x-y)^7 Binomial Expansion

4 min read Jul 03, 2024
(x-y)^7 Binomial Expansion

Binomial Expansion of (x-y)^7

In algebra, binomial expansion is a method of expanding an expression of the form (x+y)^n or (x-y)^n, where n is a positive integer. In this article, we will explore the binomial expansion of (x-y)^7.

What is Binomial Expansion?

Binomial expansion is a process of expanding an expression that involves a binomial (an expression with two terms) raised to a power. The expansion involves the use of the binomial theorem, which is a formula for expanding powers of a binomial.

The Binomial Theorem

The binomial theorem is a mathematical formula that describes the expansion of powers of a binomial. It is stated as follows:

$(x+y)^n = \sum_{k=0}^{n} \binom{n}{k} x^{n-k} y^k$

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

Expanding (x-y)^7

To expand (x-y)^7, we can use the binomial theorem with n=7, x=x, and y=-y. This gives us:

$(x-y)^7 = \sum_{k=0}^{7} \binom{7}{k} x^{7-k} (-y)^k$

Using the binomial coefficients, we can expand the expression as follows:

$(x-y)^7 = x^7 - 7x^6y + 21x^5y^2 - 35x^4y^3 + 35x^3y^4 - 21x^2y^5 + 7xy^6 - y^7$

Properties of Binomial Expansion

The binomial expansion of (x-y)^7 has some important properties:

  • Symmetry: The expansion is symmetric around the middle term.
  • Alternating Signs: The signs of the terms alternate between positive and negative.
  • Pascal's Triangle: The binomial coefficients can be arranged in a triangle, known as Pascal's triangle, which has many interesting properties.

Applications of Binomial Expansion

Binomial expansion has many applications in mathematics, science, and engineering, including:

  • Algebra: Binomial expansion is used to solve equations and simplify expressions.
  • Calculus: Binomial expansion is used to find derivatives and integrals.
  • Probability: Binomial expansion is used to calculate probabilities in statistics.
  • Computer Science: Binomial expansion is used in algorithms for solving problems.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the binomial expansion of (x-y)^7. We have seen how to use the binomial theorem to expand the expression and have discussed some of the properties and applications of binomial expansion. Binomial expansion is a powerful tool in mathematics and has many uses in various fields.

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