Thread: Expand in terms of binomials coefficients

I am asked to expand and simply the following expression.

(x + √2)7 + (x - √2)7

I have my notes here on the binomial theorem, and it seems simply enough to expand each of those terms.....except.

In my notes it says

(x+y)^n= then goes on the expand here with each term added to the next.

It does not mention anything about...

(x-y)^n ?

Is it the same as addition except each term is subtracted from the next?

Originally Posted by ehpoc

It does not mention anything about...
(x-y)^n ?
Is it the same as addition except each term is subtracted from the next?

Note that in your question, odd powers subtract out.

SO basically when all is said and done the two expansions will look the same but with negative signs where the positive signs are?

Ok so when I expanded the two terms

One had eight positive terms.

The other had same terms but negative except for the very first term than contained no y.

So once I cancelled out I got.....2x^7

Originally Posted by ehpoc

SO basically when all is said and done the two expansions will look the same but with negative signs where the positive signs are?

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