Algebra question

[GambiT]

How would you rewrite (n+a)^b?

Is it n^b + a^b?

Thanks!!

 

[tfinch2]

Substitute values for n, a, and b to see that they are not equal.

n = 2
a = 3
b = 2

2^2 + 3^2 = 4 + 9 = 13
(2 + 3)^2 = 5^2 = 25

13 != 25

Why would you need to rewrite that anyway?

 

[GambiT]

Okay, back to the drawing board.

I know that (n*a)^b = n^b * a^b

But any ideas on how to re-write my original equation?

 

[Argo]

As far as I know there is no way to rewrite that without know what b is.

 

[GambiT]

If I have n^b = (n+a)^b

Can I divide both sides by n^b? If so, what would be the result on the right side?

 

[esun]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binomial_expansion

If you have n^b = (n + a)^b, you can take each side to the (1/b) power. You have to specify that b != 0, though (in which case the relation reduces trivially to 1=1).

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: GambiT
If I have n^b = (n+a)^b

Can I divide both sides by n^b? If so, what would be the result on the right side?

In that case you have:

a = 0 and n can be anything, or
a = -2n (for even b's)

Not sure what that has to do with programming.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Why would you need to rewrite that anyway?

 

[aCynic2]

Look on the wikipage esun provided. You see it as (n + a)^b, but it's proper form is

(a + b) ^ r

That follows Newton's binomial theorem.

I can't write it here because this forum software has poor formating support, but it's on that page.