[Math] How many coefficients are in the expansion $(x + y + z)^{10}$

binomial-coefficientsdiscrete mathematicsself-learning

I need to find the number of coefficients in the expansion $(x + y + z)^{10}$.

I had this exercise on a recent assignment.

The answer I gave is: $3^{10} = \binom {3 + 10 – 1}{10} = \binom{12}{10} = 132$, but my tutor says the answer is 66.

I don't know where I went wrong and, therefore, I don't know how to get 66. Can someone show me where I went wrong with this exercise?

Thanks

Best Answer

In general, the number of coefficients of $(x_1+x_2+\ldots+x_m)^n$ is ${n+m-1\choose m-1}={n+m-1\choose n}$.

This can be shown with the Stars and Bars methods. Basically you need to count the number of ways that it is possible to add $m$ nonnegative integers to get $n$.