Can aynone tell me what Pascals triangle is used for?

Answer 1

It is used to expand a binomial expression that is raised to some power n. Consider the expression (a + b)^n.
Here is a part of the Pascal's triangle (see below)

1 (a + b)^0 = 1

1 1 (a + b)^1 = (a + b) = a + b

1 2 1 (a + b)^2 = 1a^2 + 2ab + b^2

1 3 3 1 (a + b)^3 = 1a^3 + 3(a^2)b + 3a(b^2) + b^3

1 4 6 4 1
This is Pascal Triangle at work. You should be able to figure out the pattern. I leave (a + b)^4 for you to figure out.
Note that the coefficients (number before the a or b) follow the number patterns shown in the triangle. We start with the highest power of n and assign it to a while we assign a 0 power to b (which is why b does not show up at first---for anything raised to 0 power is just 1). Then, the power of a successively decrease (from n to n-1, n-2, ..., 0) while the power of b increases (from 0 to 1, 2,..., n).

Answer 2

Bassbredrin's answer is the closest to correct. However, Pascal's triangle is not really used for anything. It is only interesting in as far as it provides the coefficients of all the terms in an expanded polynomial if and only if the coefficients of the binomial are 1. For example, pascal's triangle does not help you to expand (2a+5b)^n since the coefficients of the binomial both differ from 1. Get the idea?

Answer 3

Pascals Triangle keeps a nice rythm, so that Euhler's Drums, Fibonacci's Guitar, Newton's Bass, Einstein's Keyboard, Pythagorus' Cowbells, and all the others can rock the house.

Answer 4

Click below to find out:

http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.pascal.triangle.html

OR

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=what+was+Pascal%27s+Triangle+used+for%2F

Answer 5

it's used to cut pizza