Mastering Binomial Theorem for Understanding Rudin's Analysis Proofs

[jecharla]

I have been teaching myself analysis with baby rudin. I have just started chapter three in the past week or so and one thing I am having trouble with is the proofs which use the binomial theorem and various identities derived from it. Rudin pretty much assumes this material as prerequisite and his proofs use it so concisely that it is hard for me to follow since I pretty much learned the binomial theorem while studying rudin.

A good example of where I have trouble is 3.20. This theorem uses a few different identities derived from the binomial theorem which I am not familiar with and and it is hard for me to just learn in the context of these proofs.

A good example of where I have no trouble is theorem 3.31. This theorem requires just a straightforward use of the binomial theorem itself which I am fine with.

Is there a good textbook or website to get me up to date on these identities involving the binomial theorem?

 

[micromass]

What exactly is the problem? Can you understand the proofs (after staring at it for a while)?? Is the problem that you're unable to find such results yourself? I think that would be very reasonable. The most important thing here is understanding the proof in question. Finding such thing yourself will probably not be something you'll be able now.

Of course, Rudin is pretty concise and hard. Spivak's calculus is much more easy-going, but still covers a lot of analysis.

Or is the problem that you don't understand the proof? That is more serious.

 

[jecharla]

As of yet I have not been able to get through theorem 3.20. But I am just going to stare at it for longer :)

Can't expect them all to be easy.