binomial problem

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pinkcalculator

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Can anyone help me simplify this problem??

(2x+3)^8 - (x-4)^7

I don't even know where to start?? Is there a formula, or do I have to expand it??
 
pinkcalculator said:
Can anyone help me simplify this problem??

(2x+3)^8 - (x-4)^7

I don't even know where to start?? Is there a formula, or do I have to expand it??
Click to expand...

Since there are no common factors (and powers are relatively prime)- there is no simplification possible (other than expanding and collecting similar terms - but I do not call that simplification).
 
It was given as part of an assignment dealing with the binomial theorem, and I'm absolutely clueless as to how to use the formula?? Help? I think the most confusing part is knowing where to put each term in the formula.
 
pinkcalculator said:
It was given as part of an assignment dealing with the binomial theorem, and I'm absolutely clueless as to how to use the formula?? Help? I think the most confusing part is knowing where to put each term in the formula.
Click to expand...
Can you write the expansion of:

(a+b)[sup:r9s4u3pr]n[/sup:r9s4u3pr] = a[sup:r9s4u3pr]n[/sup:r9s4u3pr] + .....

.
 
I know that (a+b)^2 = a^2+2ab+b^2
So does that make (a+b)^n = a^n + n(ab)+b^n??
The middle term is throwing me off?
 
Thanks for the links. My textbook's a bit confusing, and I picked the absolute worst day to miss class. :(
I'm gonna check these out and see if I can make some more progress.
 
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