binomial theorem

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. the theorem giving the expansion of a binomial raised to any power.

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binomial theorem British  

noun

1. a mathematical theorem that gives the expansion of any binomial raised to a positive integral power, n . It contains n + 1 terms: ( x + a ) n = xn + nx ^{n – 1} a + [ n ( n –1)/2] xn ^– ² a ² +…+ ( nk ) xn ^– kak + … + an , where ( nk ) = n !/( n–k )! k !, the number of combinations of k items selected from n

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binomial theorem Scientific  

1. The theorem that specifies the expansion of any power of a binomial, that is, (a + b) ^m . According to the binomial theorem, the first term of the expansion is x ^m, the second term is mx ^{m - 1} y, and for each additional term the power of x decreases by 1 while the power of y increases by 1, until the last term y ^m is reached. The coefficient of x ^{m - r} is m![r!(m − r)!]. Thus the expansion of (a + b) ³ is a ³ + 3 a ² b + 3 ab ² + b ³.

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Etymology

Origin of binomial theorem

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Published last week in Philadelphia was a convenient 236-page treatise, Algebra for Parents* calculated to save elders considerable embarrassment when asked to explain anything from simple addition to the binomial theorem.

From Time Magazine Archive

Well," drawled Publicist Bernays, "there are two other young men here and we were just discussing the binomial theorem.

From Time Magazine Archive

At any rate, the mixture of science and religion is curious, as if Billy Sunday had undertaken a sermon on the subject of the binomial theorem.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Non omnia possumus omnes," Virgil says; and there are intellects who could no more master such a method, than they could understand the binomial theorem, or calculate the orbit of Uranus.

From A Book for All Readers An Aid to the Collection, Use, and Preservation of Books and the Formation of Public and Private Libraries by Spofford, Ainsworth Rand

First he discovered the binomial theorem: familiar now to all who have done any algebra, unintelligible to others, and therefore I say nothing about it.

From Pioneers of Science by Lodge, Oliver, Sir