Pascal's triangle

noun

Pas·​cal's triangle pa-ˈskalz- 

pä-ˈskälz-

: a system of numbers arranged in rows resembling a triangle with each row consisting of the coefficients in the expansion of (a + b)ⁿ for n = 0, 1, 2, 3,  …

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Pascal's triangle

noun

Pas·​cal's triangle pas-ˈkalz- 

: a set of numbers which are arranged in rows in the shape of a triangle with the top row containing only 1, the next row 1 1, the following row 1 2 1, and in general the nth row containing the coefficients in the expansion of (a + b)ⁿ as n equals 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.