Find a Closed form for the Combinatorial Sum $sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k} $ and Provide a Combinatorial Proof...
Question
Find a closed form for the combinatorial sum $sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k} $ and provide a combinatorial proof of the resulting identity.
My attempt
I was able to find a closed form using the method of "snake-oil" but unable to provide a combinatorial proof. We claim that
$$
sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n+1}{m}tag{0}.
$$
Indeed note that (formally)
$$
begin{align}
sum_{m=0}^inftyleft(sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k}right)z^m&=sum_{k=0}^inftyleft(sum_{m=k}^inftybinom{n-k}{m-k}right)z^mtag{1}\
&=sum_{k=0}^infty z^kleft(sum_{u=0}^inftybinom{n-k}{u}z^uright)\
&=sum_{k=0}^infty z^k(1+z)^{n-k}tag{2}\
&=(1+z)^nsum_{k=0}^inftyleft(frac{z}{1+z}right)^k\
&=(1+z)^nfrac{1}{1-frac{z}{1+z}}=(1+z)^{n+1}.tag{3}
end{align}
$$
Taking the coefficient of $z^m$ from $(1+z)^{n+1}$ yields the result. In the above computation we interchanged summation in $(1)$, used the binomial thoerem in $(2)$ and used the formula for a geometric series in $(3)$.
My problem
The simplicity of the identity in $(0)$ (supposing I have not made any mistakes) suggests a combinatorial proof. Unfortunately, I have not been able to make much progress here. I don't know how to classify the $m$ element subsets of $[n+1]$ to obtain $(0)$.
Any help is appreciated.
combinatorics discrete-mathematics binomial-coefficients generating-functions
add a comment |
Question
Find a closed form for the combinatorial sum $sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k} $ and provide a combinatorial proof of the resulting identity.
My attempt
I was able to find a closed form using the method of "snake-oil" but unable to provide a combinatorial proof. We claim that
$$
sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n+1}{m}tag{0}.
$$
Indeed note that (formally)
$$
begin{align}
sum_{m=0}^inftyleft(sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k}right)z^m&=sum_{k=0}^inftyleft(sum_{m=k}^inftybinom{n-k}{m-k}right)z^mtag{1}\
&=sum_{k=0}^infty z^kleft(sum_{u=0}^inftybinom{n-k}{u}z^uright)\
&=sum_{k=0}^infty z^k(1+z)^{n-k}tag{2}\
&=(1+z)^nsum_{k=0}^inftyleft(frac{z}{1+z}right)^k\
&=(1+z)^nfrac{1}{1-frac{z}{1+z}}=(1+z)^{n+1}.tag{3}
end{align}
$$
Taking the coefficient of $z^m$ from $(1+z)^{n+1}$ yields the result. In the above computation we interchanged summation in $(1)$, used the binomial thoerem in $(2)$ and used the formula for a geometric series in $(3)$.
My problem
The simplicity of the identity in $(0)$ (supposing I have not made any mistakes) suggests a combinatorial proof. Unfortunately, I have not been able to make much progress here. I don't know how to classify the $m$ element subsets of $[n+1]$ to obtain $(0)$.
Any help is appreciated.
combinatorics discrete-mathematics binomial-coefficients generating-functions
3
If you replace $m-k$ with $n-m$ on the left, and the $m$ on the right with $n-m$, then this becomes the hockey stick identity.
– Mike Earnest
2 days ago
Partition the set of subsets of ${1,2,ldots,n+1}$ of size $m$ into $m+1$ parts $P_i$, $iin{0,1,ldots,m}$ where $P_i$ is the set of size-$m$ subsets whose least missing element is $i+1$.
– Will Orrick
2 days ago
add a comment |
Question
Find a closed form for the combinatorial sum $sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k} $ and provide a combinatorial proof of the resulting identity.
My attempt
I was able to find a closed form using the method of "snake-oil" but unable to provide a combinatorial proof. We claim that
$$
sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n+1}{m}tag{0}.
$$
Indeed note that (formally)
$$
begin{align}
sum_{m=0}^inftyleft(sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k}right)z^m&=sum_{k=0}^inftyleft(sum_{m=k}^inftybinom{n-k}{m-k}right)z^mtag{1}\
&=sum_{k=0}^infty z^kleft(sum_{u=0}^inftybinom{n-k}{u}z^uright)\
&=sum_{k=0}^infty z^k(1+z)^{n-k}tag{2}\
&=(1+z)^nsum_{k=0}^inftyleft(frac{z}{1+z}right)^k\
&=(1+z)^nfrac{1}{1-frac{z}{1+z}}=(1+z)^{n+1}.tag{3}
end{align}
$$
Taking the coefficient of $z^m$ from $(1+z)^{n+1}$ yields the result. In the above computation we interchanged summation in $(1)$, used the binomial thoerem in $(2)$ and used the formula for a geometric series in $(3)$.
My problem
The simplicity of the identity in $(0)$ (supposing I have not made any mistakes) suggests a combinatorial proof. Unfortunately, I have not been able to make much progress here. I don't know how to classify the $m$ element subsets of $[n+1]$ to obtain $(0)$.
Any help is appreciated.
combinatorics discrete-mathematics binomial-coefficients generating-functions
Question
Find a closed form for the combinatorial sum $sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k} $ and provide a combinatorial proof of the resulting identity.
My attempt
I was able to find a closed form using the method of "snake-oil" but unable to provide a combinatorial proof. We claim that
$$
sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n+1}{m}tag{0}.
$$
Indeed note that (formally)
$$
begin{align}
sum_{m=0}^inftyleft(sum_{k=0}^mbinom{n-k}{m-k}right)z^m&=sum_{k=0}^inftyleft(sum_{m=k}^inftybinom{n-k}{m-k}right)z^mtag{1}\
&=sum_{k=0}^infty z^kleft(sum_{u=0}^inftybinom{n-k}{u}z^uright)\
&=sum_{k=0}^infty z^k(1+z)^{n-k}tag{2}\
&=(1+z)^nsum_{k=0}^inftyleft(frac{z}{1+z}right)^k\
&=(1+z)^nfrac{1}{1-frac{z}{1+z}}=(1+z)^{n+1}.tag{3}
end{align}
$$
Taking the coefficient of $z^m$ from $(1+z)^{n+1}$ yields the result. In the above computation we interchanged summation in $(1)$, used the binomial thoerem in $(2)$ and used the formula for a geometric series in $(3)$.
My problem
The simplicity of the identity in $(0)$ (supposing I have not made any mistakes) suggests a combinatorial proof. Unfortunately, I have not been able to make much progress here. I don't know how to classify the $m$ element subsets of $[n+1]$ to obtain $(0)$.
Any help is appreciated.
combinatorics discrete-mathematics binomial-coefficients generating-functions
combinatorics discrete-mathematics binomial-coefficients generating-functions
asked 2 days ago
Foobaz John
20.9k41250
20.9k41250
3
If you replace $m-k$ with $n-m$ on the left, and the $m$ on the right with $n-m$, then this becomes the hockey stick identity.
– Mike Earnest
2 days ago
Partition the set of subsets of ${1,2,ldots,n+1}$ of size $m$ into $m+1$ parts $P_i$, $iin{0,1,ldots,m}$ where $P_i$ is the set of size-$m$ subsets whose least missing element is $i+1$.
– Will Orrick
2 days ago
add a comment |
3
If you replace $m-k$ with $n-m$ on the left, and the $m$ on the right with $n-m$, then this becomes the hockey stick identity.
– Mike Earnest
2 days ago
Partition the set of subsets of ${1,2,ldots,n+1}$ of size $m$ into $m+1$ parts $P_i$, $iin{0,1,ldots,m}$ where $P_i$ is the set of size-$m$ subsets whose least missing element is $i+1$.
– Will Orrick
2 days ago
3
3
If you replace $m-k$ with $n-m$ on the left, and the $m$ on the right with $n-m$, then this becomes the hockey stick identity.
– Mike Earnest
2 days ago
If you replace $m-k$ with $n-m$ on the left, and the $m$ on the right with $n-m$, then this becomes the hockey stick identity.
– Mike Earnest
2 days ago
Partition the set of subsets of ${1,2,ldots,n+1}$ of size $m$ into $m+1$ parts $P_i$, $iin{0,1,ldots,m}$ where $P_i$ is the set of size-$m$ subsets whose least missing element is $i+1$.
– Will Orrick
2 days ago
Partition the set of subsets of ${1,2,ldots,n+1}$ of size $m$ into $m+1$ parts $P_i$, $iin{0,1,ldots,m}$ where $P_i$ is the set of size-$m$ subsets whose least missing element is $i+1$.
– Will Orrick
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
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In how many ways can you choose the m-element subsets of {1,...,n}? In ${n choose m}$ ways. But you may also write this as (the number of ways to choose m-element subsets that contain n )+ (the ones that don’t contain n but contain (n-1) +(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1, but contain n-2) +...(keep going)+(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1,nor...,nor m+1) and this gives you ${n-1 choose m} + {n-2 choose m}+...+{m choose m}$
This is the same identity as the one you need to prove once you note that ${n-k choose m-k}={n-k choose n-m}$ and change the order of sumation from m to 0 instead of 0 to m.
add a comment |
Lemma:
$$binom{n}{k}=binom{n}{n-k}$$
$$binom{n}{k}=frac{n!}{(n-k)!k!}=binom{n}{n-k}=frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!}$$
Proof:
$$binom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n-k}{(n-k)-(m-k)}=binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Therefore,
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Notice that
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}$$
Using Hockey Stick identity
$$sum_{i=r}^{n}binom{i}{r}=binom{n+1}{r+1}$$
We have
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}=binom{n+1}{n+1-m}=binom{n+1}{m}$$
add a comment |
Your Answer
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2 Answers
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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active
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active
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In how many ways can you choose the m-element subsets of {1,...,n}? In ${n choose m}$ ways. But you may also write this as (the number of ways to choose m-element subsets that contain n )+ (the ones that don’t contain n but contain (n-1) +(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1, but contain n-2) +...(keep going)+(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1,nor...,nor m+1) and this gives you ${n-1 choose m} + {n-2 choose m}+...+{m choose m}$
This is the same identity as the one you need to prove once you note that ${n-k choose m-k}={n-k choose n-m}$ and change the order of sumation from m to 0 instead of 0 to m.
add a comment |
In how many ways can you choose the m-element subsets of {1,...,n}? In ${n choose m}$ ways. But you may also write this as (the number of ways to choose m-element subsets that contain n )+ (the ones that don’t contain n but contain (n-1) +(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1, but contain n-2) +...(keep going)+(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1,nor...,nor m+1) and this gives you ${n-1 choose m} + {n-2 choose m}+...+{m choose m}$
This is the same identity as the one you need to prove once you note that ${n-k choose m-k}={n-k choose n-m}$ and change the order of sumation from m to 0 instead of 0 to m.
add a comment |
In how many ways can you choose the m-element subsets of {1,...,n}? In ${n choose m}$ ways. But you may also write this as (the number of ways to choose m-element subsets that contain n )+ (the ones that don’t contain n but contain (n-1) +(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1, but contain n-2) +...(keep going)+(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1,nor...,nor m+1) and this gives you ${n-1 choose m} + {n-2 choose m}+...+{m choose m}$
This is the same identity as the one you need to prove once you note that ${n-k choose m-k}={n-k choose n-m}$ and change the order of sumation from m to 0 instead of 0 to m.
In how many ways can you choose the m-element subsets of {1,...,n}? In ${n choose m}$ ways. But you may also write this as (the number of ways to choose m-element subsets that contain n )+ (the ones that don’t contain n but contain (n-1) +(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1, but contain n-2) +...(keep going)+(the number of subsets that contain neither n, nor n-1,nor...,nor m+1) and this gives you ${n-1 choose m} + {n-2 choose m}+...+{m choose m}$
This is the same identity as the one you need to prove once you note that ${n-k choose m-k}={n-k choose n-m}$ and change the order of sumation from m to 0 instead of 0 to m.
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
Sorin Tirc
1,350113
1,350113
add a comment |
add a comment |
Lemma:
$$binom{n}{k}=binom{n}{n-k}$$
$$binom{n}{k}=frac{n!}{(n-k)!k!}=binom{n}{n-k}=frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!}$$
Proof:
$$binom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n-k}{(n-k)-(m-k)}=binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Therefore,
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Notice that
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}$$
Using Hockey Stick identity
$$sum_{i=r}^{n}binom{i}{r}=binom{n+1}{r+1}$$
We have
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}=binom{n+1}{n+1-m}=binom{n+1}{m}$$
add a comment |
Lemma:
$$binom{n}{k}=binom{n}{n-k}$$
$$binom{n}{k}=frac{n!}{(n-k)!k!}=binom{n}{n-k}=frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!}$$
Proof:
$$binom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n-k}{(n-k)-(m-k)}=binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Therefore,
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Notice that
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}$$
Using Hockey Stick identity
$$sum_{i=r}^{n}binom{i}{r}=binom{n+1}{r+1}$$
We have
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}=binom{n+1}{n+1-m}=binom{n+1}{m}$$
add a comment |
Lemma:
$$binom{n}{k}=binom{n}{n-k}$$
$$binom{n}{k}=frac{n!}{(n-k)!k!}=binom{n}{n-k}=frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!}$$
Proof:
$$binom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n-k}{(n-k)-(m-k)}=binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Therefore,
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Notice that
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}$$
Using Hockey Stick identity
$$sum_{i=r}^{n}binom{i}{r}=binom{n+1}{r+1}$$
We have
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}=binom{n+1}{n+1-m}=binom{n+1}{m}$$
Lemma:
$$binom{n}{k}=binom{n}{n-k}$$
$$binom{n}{k}=frac{n!}{(n-k)!k!}=binom{n}{n-k}=frac{n!}{k!(n-k)!}$$
Proof:
$$binom{n-k}{m-k}=binom{n-k}{(n-k)-(m-k)}=binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Therefore,
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}$$
Notice that
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}$$
Using Hockey Stick identity
$$sum_{i=r}^{n}binom{i}{r}=binom{n+1}{r+1}$$
We have
$$sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{m-k}=sum_{k=0}^{m}binom{n-k}{n-m}=sum_{k=n-m}^{n}binom{k}{n-m}=binom{n+1}{n+1-m}=binom{n+1}{m}$$
answered 2 days ago
Larry
1,5882722
1,5882722
add a comment |
add a comment |
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3
If you replace $m-k$ with $n-m$ on the left, and the $m$ on the right with $n-m$, then this becomes the hockey stick identity.
– Mike Earnest
2 days ago
Partition the set of subsets of ${1,2,ldots,n+1}$ of size $m$ into $m+1$ parts $P_i$, $iin{0,1,ldots,m}$ where $P_i$ is the set of size-$m$ subsets whose least missing element is $i+1$.
– Will Orrick
2 days ago