9.5: Pascal's Triangle

Pascal's triangle is a way to simplify binomial expansions. 

When you have a problem like this: (x-2y) ^5

1) look at the row that matches the exponent. In this case it's row 5. 

2) use the numbers shown with the first term in descending powers. In this case the first term is x.

 

3) multiply each term in the new equation by the second term in the original equation paired with ascending exponents. 

4) simplify and add the terms 

Math joke of the day:

Q: What did the little acorn say when he grew up?

A: Geometry!