Finding Coefficient of x^8y^5 using Binomial Theorem

reenmachine
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Homework Statement



Use the binomial theorem to find the coefficient of ##x^8y^5## in ##(x+y)^{13}##.

Homework Equations



We know 13 - 5 = 8 , so we have ##\binom{n}{5}x^{n-5}y^5 = \binom{13}{5}x^8y^5##

##\binom{13}{5} = \frac{13 \cdot 12 \cdot 11 \cdot 10 \cdot 9 \cdot 8!}{5!8!} = \frac{13 \cdot 12 \cdot 11 \cdot 10 \cdot 9}{120} = \frac{154440}{120} = 1287##

So ##1287x^8y^5##

This is the first time I work with the binomial theorem so I'm not sure , any thoughts on my result?

thank you!
 
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I don't see why you introduced "n" there.
The solution is right.
 
mfb said:
I don't see why you introduced "n" there.
The solution is right.

sorry this was a brain cramp on my part.The book I'm reading introduced the binomial theorem as followed: If ##n## is a non-negative integer , then ##(x+y)^n = \binom{n}{0}x^n + \binom{n}{1}x^{n-1}y + \binom{n}{2}x^{n-2}y^2 + \binom{n}{3}y^3 + \cdots + \binom{n}{n-1}xy^{n-1}+\binom{n}{n}y^n##.For some reasons I forgot to connect ##n## to ##(x+y)^n## and ##\mathbb{N}##.

thank you!
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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