binomial coefficient

American

noun

Mathematics.

any one of the coefficients of the variables in an expanded binomial series.

binomial coefficient British

noun

maths any of the numerical factors which multiply the successive terms in a binomial expansion; any term of the form n !/( n–k )! k !: written ( nk ), nCk , or Cnk See also combination

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of binomial coefficient

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We can see now why the combinatorial formula is also called the binomial coefficient because it reappears here again in the binomial probability function.

From Textbooks • Nov. 29, 2017

Just as the number of combinations must always be a whole number, a binomial coefficient will always be a whole number.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Q&A Is a binomial coefficient always a whole number?

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

For the following exercises, evaluate the binomial coefficient.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

What is a binomial coefficient, and how it is calculated?

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023