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walkccc / CLRS

📚 Solutions to Introduction to Algorithms Third Edition
https://walkccc.me/CLRS
MIT License
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Exercise 3.1-2: Incorrect use of the binomial theorem? #425

Open reyaboj opened 2 years ago

reyaboj commented 2 years ago

Hi.

Exercise 3.1-2 asks: image

The solution begins by expanding using the binomial theorem, but b is a real-valued constant (e.g., b = pi would be a possible setting). I'm not sure if I misunderstood the question but this seems like an incorrect application of the expansion since b would have to be an integer.

Appreciate any replies to clarify this. Thanks!

bissectra commented 2 years ago

I guess this article might help you. Please take a look at the conditions for convergence of the binomial series.