sum_{k=0}^{m}(-1)^k ((n),(k))=(-1)^m ((n-1),(m)) where k,m, n in Z+

Darius Nash

Darius Nash

Answered question

2022-09-07

Discrete Math Identity Proof Binomial Coefficients
The question is to prove this identity:
k = 0 m ( 1 ) k ( n k ) = ( 1 ) m ( n 1 m ) ! where k, m, n Z +

Answer & Explanation

ignaciopastorp6

ignaciopastorp6

Beginner2022-09-08Added 14 answers

Step 1
Let's do this by induction on m, where n is fixed. We see right away that for m = 0, we have
( 1 ) 0 ( n 0 ) = 1 = ( 1 ) 0 ( n 1 0 ) .
Step 2
Now assume the identity holds for all values m, and we will show that it for m + 1. As a heads up, we will make use of the binomial recursive formula, sometimes referred to as Pascal's Triangle: ( n k ) = ( n 1 k 1 ) + ( n 1 k )
k = 0 m + 1 ( 1 ) k ( n k ) = ( 1 ) m + 1 ( n m + 1 ) + k = 0 m ( 1 ) k ( n k ) = ( 1 ) m ( n 1 m ) + ( 1 ) m + 1 ( n m + 1 )  by the inductive hypthosis = ( 1 ) m + 1 ( ( n m + 1 ) ( n 1 m ) ) = ( 1 ) m + 1 ( n 1 m + 1 )  by Pascal's Triangle .
This completes the proof.
Francis Blanchard

Francis Blanchard

Beginner2022-09-09Added 12 answers

Step 1
Here is a direct proof as well. By Binomial theorem we have
( 1 x ) n 1 = k = 0 n 1 ( n 1 k ) ( 1 ) k x k .
At the same time, using geometric progression, we have
( 1 x ) n 1 = 1 1 x ( 1 x ) n = ( 1 + x + x 2 + ) k = 0 n ( n k ) ( 1 ) k x k .
Step 2
Comparing coefficients at x m on boths sides, we get
( n 1 m ) ( 1 ) m = 1 ( n m ) ( 1 ) m + 1 ( n m 1 ) ( 1 ) m 1 + + 1 ( n 0 ) ( 1 ) 0

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