# Math Help - Binomial help decimals??

1. ## Binomial help decimals??

in my book i have $\left(\begin{array}{cc}s\\2\end{array}\right)$ where s = 0.4

In my book the answer is -0.12 but i have no idea how they have got this, any help please?

in my book i have $\left(\begin{array}{cc}s\\2\end{array}\right)$ where s = 0.4

In my book the answer is -0.12 but i have no idea how they have got this, any help please?

look here, but note that when i try it one of the integrals isnt converging...im using matlab.

Binomial coefficient - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

3. Maybe without resorting to the Gamma function and what not, they're talking about the "generalized" binomial coefficient which we see used in binomial series:

${a \choose k} = \frac{a(a-1)(a-2)\cdots(a - k+1)}{k!}$ where $a$ can be complex.

Hence: ${0.4 \choose 2} = \frac{(0.4)(0.4-1)}{2!}$

4. Originally Posted by o_O
Maybe without resorting to the Gamma function and what not, they're talking about the "generalized" binomial coefficient which we see used in binomial series:

${a \choose k} = \frac{a(a-1)(a-2)\cdots(a - k+1)}{k!}$ where $a$ can be complex.

Hence: ${0.4 \choose 2} = \frac{(0.4)(0.4-1)}{2!}$
whups...glossed over that as it appears on the wiki page. apologies adam leeds, glad o_O chimed in...furthermore, the formula i cite above is to be used for large $n$ and $k$...whups...apologies all around.