The binomial theorem represents , for a nonnegative integer , as , enabling accurate expansion, identification of particular terms or coefficients, and interpretation of as the number of ways to choose which factors contribute . It connects algebraic expansion with combinations and binomial probability; noninteger or negative exponents and infinite-series generalizations are outside this scope.
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To expand a power of a binomial, use the binomial theorem:
Here, gives the coefficient, and tells how many factors contribute .
Identify the parts:
Substitute into the theorem:
Use the binomial coefficients:
Now simplify each term:
Therefore,
The signs alternate here because , so odd powers of are negative.
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