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About

Expanding a binomial to the third power requires precision that mental math often lacks. The complexity jumps significantly from a square to a cube, as intermediate terms involve squaring one coefficient while multiplying by another. This tool automates the Binomial Theorem for degree 3, ensuring that the coefficients 1, 3, 3, 1 are applied correctly to the powers of your specific variables. It is essential for students dealing with higher-order polynomials where a single arithmetic slip renders the final function incorrect.

cubic expansion polynomials binomial theorem algebra math tools

Formulas

The expansion follows the Binomial Theorem for n=3. The general form consists of four terms with specific combinatorial weights.

(a + b)3 = a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b3

If a has a coefficient A and b has a coefficient B, the second term becomes:

Term 2 = 3 (Ax)2 (By) = 3A2B x2y

Reference Data

NPolynomialExpansion (Pascal's Triangle)
0(a + b)01
1(a + b)11a + 1b
2(a + b)21a2 + 2ab + 1b2
3(a + b)3a3 + 3a2b + 3ab2 + b3
4(a + b)4a4 + 4a3b + 6a2b2 + ...
Example(2x + 1)38x3 + 12x2 + 6x + 1
Example(x - 2)3x3 6x2 + 12x 8
LogicCoefficientsSum of the two numbers directly above in Pascal's Triangle

Frequently Asked Questions

The signs will alternate. For (a - b)³, the pattern is positive, negative, positive, negative. The calculator handles this automatically by treating the second term as a negative value.
Yes. The internal engine supports coefficients up to 10^9, making it suitable for checking arithmetic with larger integers found in intermediate algebra problems.
No. This tool is strictly for the cubic power (degree 3). Fractional exponents require a Taylor series expansion or generalized binomial series, which is outside this tool's scope.