Thread: Question relating to binomial expansion and integration

Hi All

I am working on a question where I am given (1 + x^2)^5 and asked to expand out (using binomial expansion). I have no problem with that.

Then I am asked to integrate the equation for values 0 -> 0.4. No problem there.

But then it asks how the estimation of the area using the binomial expansion compares with the integration result? What is that about?

Angus

Integration tells you the area under a curve. How similar are your results? Substitute in those limits - the results should be very similar.

I am ok with the integration, it is the binomial expansion bit I am stuck on. Do you mean I substitute 0.4 for x and then do binomial expansion?

Try it and see. Are they similar? Substitute x = 0.4 into the expansion you did at the beginning.