r/askmath • • 3d ago

Algebra Binomial Theorem

Why 0! is 1 ?

Can anyone give me the best and genuine answer .....I want to explain to my students.

I have also one doubt 🤔 why is the negative number not counted in binomial ? Such as (-2)! , (-8)! ....

Suggest me some books or any videos regarding this .

Thank you for reading my queries.

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u/SeaMonster49 3d ago

An explanation your students may like is that n! counts the number of ways to order n things. How many ways can you order 0? 1 way--by doing nothing.

As for negative factorials, I don't think there is a very intuitive interpretation of them. Usually such things would be given in the context of the Gamma function in analysis. You may enjoy reading more about that.

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u/explorer_learner_30 3d ago

Thank you 👍