Pascal's triangle

noun

Pas·​cal's triangle pa-ˈskalz- How to pronounce Pascal's triangle (audio)
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of Pascal's triangle was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near Pascal's triangle

Cite this Entry

“Pascal's triangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pascal%27s%20triangle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Pascal's triangle

noun
Pas·​cal's triangle pas-ˈkalz- How to pronounce Pascal's triangle (audio)
: 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) as n equals 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

More from Merriam-Webster on Pascal's triangle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!