Expanding (a+b)^1/2 I was wondering if it's possible to expand (a+b)^1/2.For example, (a+b)^2=a^2+2ab+b^2. But what is the expansion of (a+b)^1/2? I've learned about binomial theorem but I can't figure it out.

Layla Fisher

Layla Fisher

Answered question

2022-11-24

Expanding ( a + b ) 1 2
I was wondering if it's possible to expand ( a + b ) 1 2 .For example, ( a + b ) 2 = a 2 + 2 a b + b 2 . But what is the expansion of ( a + b ) 1 2 ? I've learned about binomial theorem but I can't figure it out.

Answer & Explanation

Soren Valdez

Soren Valdez

Beginner2022-11-25Added 7 answers

Only approximately. There are ways to get close to it in terms of a 1 / 2 and b 1 / 2 . There are also some expansion formulas, for example, the expression can be written as a McLaurin series, such as,
( a + b ) 1 / 2 = a 1 / 2 + 1 2 b 1 / 2 + .
Also, if we make use of the Binomial expansion, we will have
( a + b ) n = k = 0 n ( n k ) a k b n k ,
hence, by putting n = 1 / 2
( a + b ) 1 / 2 = a + 1 2 b + .
But there is not an exact rational expression as you might wish.

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