Express $1 + \frac {1}{2} \binom{n}{1} + \frac {1}{3} \binom{n}{2} + \dotsb + \frac{1}{n + 1}\binom{n}{n}$ in a simplifed form I need to express $$1 + \frac {1}{2} \binom{n}{1} + \frac {1}{3} \binom{n}{2} + \dotsb  + \frac{1}{n + 1}\binom{n}{n}$$ in a simplified form.
So I used the identity $$(1+x)^n=1 + \binom{n}{1}x + \binom{n}{2}x^2 + \dotsb   + \binom{n}{n}x^n$$
Now on integrating both sides and putting $x=1$.
I am getting $$\frac{2^{n+1}}{n+1}$$ is equal to the given expression.But the answer in my book is  $$\frac{2^{n+1}-1}{n+1}.$$
Where does that -1 term in the numerator come from?

Remember when you integrate both sides, there will be the constant of integration. You need to first find this constant of integration. That's where the $-1$ comes from. In actual fact, it is $\frac{-1}{n+1}$ but looks like $-1$ because it's been absorbed into the numerator.
You may like to try $x=0$ to find this $+C$ value...
