1. The Binomial Theorem; Pascal’s Triangle
Section 15.5:
The Binomial Theorem;
Pascal’s Triangle

2. Pascal’s Triangle

3. Pascal’s Triangle Named for the French mathematician Blaise Pascal.
Because the numbers in the array are coefficients of the terms in the expansion of (a + b)n , they are called binomial coefficients.
Notice that (except for the 1’s) each number is the sum of the two numbers just above it.

4. The Binomial Theorem
A theorem giving the expansion of a binomial raised to a given power.
Please copy down the Binomial Theorem on pg. 591.
We will be using the Binomial Theorem to expand binomials.
(a + b)6 = (a + b)(a + b)(a + b)(a + b)(a + b)(a + b)

5. Example 1:
Give the expansion of each binomial.
Simplify your answers.
(a + b)6

6. (x – y)4
(20 + 1)3

7. HOMEWORK
pg. 592; 1 – 6 (part A only)