Expanding (Ax+By)n using the Binomial Theorem

Your family and your friends family are starting a shared robot collection, which will begin by having
one robot in it. Each month, the collection exponentially increases by multiplying the current amount by
(3x+7y), where x represents the number of people in your family and y represents the number of people
in your friends family. The total number of robots in the collection will then be represented by
(3x+7y)n. Determine, in terms of your original variables (x,y), how many robots your families will have
altogether after a given n months. Assume the number of members in each family is unknown.

Focus Question
How do you use Pascals Triangle with the Binomial Theorem in order to expand an expression

(Ax+By)n?

Web Resources
Video: Using Pascal's Triangle to Expand a Binomial Expression
Click here for a verbal explanation of how to use Pascals Triangle with the Binomial Theorem.

MathCentre: Expanding Binomial Expressions (view only p. 1-5)

Click here to read a step-by-step process of how to expand a binomial expression.

Khan Academy Binomial Theorem Practice

Click here for additional practice on this topic.
Due Date: Oct. 30th, 2017 Name: _________________________

So Lets Get Busy!

1) View Video: Using Pascals Triangle to Expand a Binomial Expression.
2) Read pages 1-5 of MathCentre: Expanding Binomial Expressions. You do not need to read
pages 6-8, as we will not be utilizing the formula given on those pages.
3
3) Answer the following questions regarding the binomial expression (2 2) .
a. Create Pascals Triangle. Indicate the row of coefficients that will be used when
simplifying this expression.

b. Solve and simplify this expression.

4) Optional: For additional practice, you may work out problems from Khan Academy Binomial
Theorem Practice.
5) Now it is time to come back to our scenario at the top of this document. Be sure to show all
work below.

a. Use what you have learned about Pascals Triangle and the Binomial Theorem to expand
the expression (3 + 7) , given the value of n = 5.

b. If there are five individuals in your family and six individuals in your friends family, how
many robots will be in the shared collection on the fourth month? Show how you would
solve this through substitution in the original binomial expression. Next, show how you
would solve this through substitution in the expanded binomial expression.