[Math] the binomial expansion for $(a+b)^{-1}$

binomial theorem

What is the binomial expansion for $(1+x)^{-1}$?

I really don't know how to solve it using negative powers.

Best Answer

There is not an expansion for this by the usual binomial expansion. However, there is one by the generalized binomial theorem, which gives, for $n \in \Bbb Z^+$,

$$(1-x)^{-n} = \sum_{k=0}^\infty \binom{n+k-1}{n-1} x^k$$

Factor out $a$ from your expression and replace adding $b$ with subtracting $(-b)$:

$$(a+b)^{-1} = a^{-1} \left(1- \left(-\frac b a \right) \right)^{-1}$$

Now apply the theorem for $x=-b/a$ and $n=1$.


Footnote:

You could approach this by the geometric series instead, but this generalizes it somewhat. I used the above solution because "binomial" was specified, but geometric is easier. In the geometric series, we have

$$(1-x)^{-1} = \frac{1}{1-x} = \sum_{k=0}^\infty x^k$$

Do the factoring as before and take $x=-b/a$ for the same result.