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Revise: The Binomial Theorem

Pascal's triangle and binomial coefficients, expanding small binomial powers, and the general binomial theorem for finding any term or coefficient directly.

Meaning of Binomial Coefficients and Pascal's Triangle

ⁿCᵣ = n!/(r!(n−r)!) — ways to choose r from n.

⁵C₂ = 10.

The Binomial Theorem

(a+b)ⁿ = Σ ⁿCᵣ aⁿ⁻ʳ bʳ.

(x+3)⁶ = x⁶+18x⁵+135x⁴+...

The General Term of a Binomial Expansion

T(r+1) = ⁿCᵣ aⁿ⁻ʳ bʳ.

4th term of (x+2)⁷ → 280x⁴.

Finding the Coefficient of a Specific Term

Set the exponent of x equal to target, solve for r.

Coeff of x⁴ in (x+3)⁶ → 135.