Can someone explain to me why I need to know how to expand a binomial using Binomial Theorem? This is the second unit that I have dealt with it and I have yet to see how it can be applied to a real-world scenario. I'm sure there is a use for it but right now it just seems a bit tedious, dare I say... useless?

Question

cecil_the_weasel · Answer

It is probably just another case of the curriculum failing to explain anything. :P

owen3 · Answer

The binomial theorem is important for theoretical purposes, to aid in solving calculations.

cecil_the_weasel · Answer

Can you give me an example that could be applied to a real-world scenario?

owen3 · Answer

I can think of an application to probability and games of chance. Suppose a die is tossed 30 times. What is the probability of getting exactly 10 fours?

owen3 · Answer

The formula for this involves something called binomial coefficients which is related to binomial theorem.

cecil_the_weasel · Answer

Oh that kinda makes sense. I'm doing a unit on probability now (I'm not so great at it) and that's where I saw it. I guess I fail to see why you would use binomial theorem instead of other methods such as the Binomial Probability Formula when conducting binomial experiments, which is where we applied binomial theorem. Thanks for answering my question though. :)

owen3 · Answer

Think of binomial theorem as a theoretical tool. With it we can define many other formulas, many of them have concrete applications , such as in physics.

owen3 · Answer

But you are right, in that probability formula we don't need to use binomial theorem directly.

cecil_the_weasel · Answer

Awesome, thanks :D