How to prove combinatorial $sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$
$begingroup$
I have problems solving the following formula for even positive integers $n$:
$$sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose 2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose 2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$$
I tried to prove it by induction but it didn't work. Is there any combinatorial proof?
combinatorics summation binomial-coefficients
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I have problems solving the following formula for even positive integers $n$:
$$sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose 2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose 2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$$
I tried to prove it by induction but it didn't work. Is there any combinatorial proof?
combinatorics summation binomial-coefficients
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
You can use the symmetry of the binomial coefficients to show the first equality. Then you can use the binomial theorem to show that the sum of the first two is equal to $2^n$ and conclude the second equality using the first one.
$endgroup$
– Severin Schraven
Jan 24 at 11:15
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I have problems solving the following formula for even positive integers $n$:
$$sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose 2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose 2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$$
I tried to prove it by induction but it didn't work. Is there any combinatorial proof?
combinatorics summation binomial-coefficients
$endgroup$
I have problems solving the following formula for even positive integers $n$:
$$sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose 2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose 2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$$
I tried to prove it by induction but it didn't work. Is there any combinatorial proof?
combinatorics summation binomial-coefficients
combinatorics summation binomial-coefficients
edited Jan 28 at 2:26
darij grinberg
11.1k33167
11.1k33167
asked Jan 24 at 11:04
NickNick
191
191
1
$begingroup$
You can use the symmetry of the binomial coefficients to show the first equality. Then you can use the binomial theorem to show that the sum of the first two is equal to $2^n$ and conclude the second equality using the first one.
$endgroup$
– Severin Schraven
Jan 24 at 11:15
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
You can use the symmetry of the binomial coefficients to show the first equality. Then you can use the binomial theorem to show that the sum of the first two is equal to $2^n$ and conclude the second equality using the first one.
$endgroup$
– Severin Schraven
Jan 24 at 11:15
1
1
$begingroup$
You can use the symmetry of the binomial coefficients to show the first equality. Then you can use the binomial theorem to show that the sum of the first two is equal to $2^n$ and conclude the second equality using the first one.
$endgroup$
– Severin Schraven
Jan 24 at 11:15
$begingroup$
You can use the symmetry of the binomial coefficients to show the first equality. Then you can use the binomial theorem to show that the sum of the first two is equal to $2^n$ and conclude the second equality using the first one.
$endgroup$
– Severin Schraven
Jan 24 at 11:15
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Let $S$ denote a set of size $nge 1$. Your first sum is the number of even-size subsets of $S$; the second sum counts the odd-size subsets instead. Fix some $ain S$, then pair each $xsubseteq Sbackslash{a}$ with $xcup{a}$. Since each pair is one odd-sized set and one even-sized set, there are equally many of each, and that's $2^{n-1}$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint:
You can get the result by expanding these two expressions using the binomial theorem
$$(1-1)^n=0 text{ and } (1+1)^n=2^n.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For brevity we prove $$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1} = 2^{2n-1},hspace{2cm}(*)$$ for $ninmathbb{N}$. It is sufficient to show that $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ since we have
$$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} +sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1}=sum_{k=0}^{2n} binom{2n}{k} = 2^{2n}.hspace{2cm}(**)$$ Let apply induction for $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$.
For $n=1$ equality is true. For $n=m$ assume equality is true, namely $sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}=2^{2m-1}$(Here note that $sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}=2^{2m-1}$ is also true by (**)). For $n=m+1$,
begin{eqnarray*}sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m+2}{2k}&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1}left{ binom{2m}{2k-1}+binom{2m}{2k-2}+binom{2m}{2k}+binom{2m}{2k-1}right}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+2sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}+sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}\
&=&4.2^{2m-1}=2^{2m+1}end{eqnarray*} by use of $binom{n}{k}=binom{n-1}{k-1}+binom{n-1}{k}$. Hence equality $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ is valid for $ninmathbb{N}$ which implies $(*)$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Could you please explain the transformation in more detail from $sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$ to $sum_{k=0}^{n} {2nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n - 1} {2nchoose2k+1} = 2^{2n-1}$
$endgroup$
– Nick
Jan 24 at 12:58
$begingroup$
Since you take $n$ as even natural number in your question, we can make transformation $n=2m$ where $minmathbb{N}$. Then, your formula transforms accordingly.
$endgroup$
– guest
Jan 24 at 13:41
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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active
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3 Answers
3
active
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$begingroup$
Let $S$ denote a set of size $nge 1$. Your first sum is the number of even-size subsets of $S$; the second sum counts the odd-size subsets instead. Fix some $ain S$, then pair each $xsubseteq Sbackslash{a}$ with $xcup{a}$. Since each pair is one odd-sized set and one even-sized set, there are equally many of each, and that's $2^{n-1}$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Let $S$ denote a set of size $nge 1$. Your first sum is the number of even-size subsets of $S$; the second sum counts the odd-size subsets instead. Fix some $ain S$, then pair each $xsubseteq Sbackslash{a}$ with $xcup{a}$. Since each pair is one odd-sized set and one even-sized set, there are equally many of each, and that's $2^{n-1}$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Let $S$ denote a set of size $nge 1$. Your first sum is the number of even-size subsets of $S$; the second sum counts the odd-size subsets instead. Fix some $ain S$, then pair each $xsubseteq Sbackslash{a}$ with $xcup{a}$. Since each pair is one odd-sized set and one even-sized set, there are equally many of each, and that's $2^{n-1}$.
$endgroup$
Let $S$ denote a set of size $nge 1$. Your first sum is the number of even-size subsets of $S$; the second sum counts the odd-size subsets instead. Fix some $ain S$, then pair each $xsubseteq Sbackslash{a}$ with $xcup{a}$. Since each pair is one odd-sized set and one even-sized set, there are equally many of each, and that's $2^{n-1}$.
answered Jan 24 at 12:26
J.G.J.G.
28.9k22845
28.9k22845
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint:
You can get the result by expanding these two expressions using the binomial theorem
$$(1-1)^n=0 text{ and } (1+1)^n=2^n.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint:
You can get the result by expanding these two expressions using the binomial theorem
$$(1-1)^n=0 text{ and } (1+1)^n=2^n.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Hint:
You can get the result by expanding these two expressions using the binomial theorem
$$(1-1)^n=0 text{ and } (1+1)^n=2^n.$$
$endgroup$
Hint:
You can get the result by expanding these two expressions using the binomial theorem
$$(1-1)^n=0 text{ and } (1+1)^n=2^n.$$
answered Jan 24 at 12:31
Teddy38Teddy38
2,1912520
2,1912520
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For brevity we prove $$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1} = 2^{2n-1},hspace{2cm}(*)$$ for $ninmathbb{N}$. It is sufficient to show that $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ since we have
$$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} +sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1}=sum_{k=0}^{2n} binom{2n}{k} = 2^{2n}.hspace{2cm}(**)$$ Let apply induction for $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$.
For $n=1$ equality is true. For $n=m$ assume equality is true, namely $sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}=2^{2m-1}$(Here note that $sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}=2^{2m-1}$ is also true by (**)). For $n=m+1$,
begin{eqnarray*}sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m+2}{2k}&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1}left{ binom{2m}{2k-1}+binom{2m}{2k-2}+binom{2m}{2k}+binom{2m}{2k-1}right}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+2sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}+sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}\
&=&4.2^{2m-1}=2^{2m+1}end{eqnarray*} by use of $binom{n}{k}=binom{n-1}{k-1}+binom{n-1}{k}$. Hence equality $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ is valid for $ninmathbb{N}$ which implies $(*)$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Could you please explain the transformation in more detail from $sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$ to $sum_{k=0}^{n} {2nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n - 1} {2nchoose2k+1} = 2^{2n-1}$
$endgroup$
– Nick
Jan 24 at 12:58
$begingroup$
Since you take $n$ as even natural number in your question, we can make transformation $n=2m$ where $minmathbb{N}$. Then, your formula transforms accordingly.
$endgroup$
– guest
Jan 24 at 13:41
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For brevity we prove $$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1} = 2^{2n-1},hspace{2cm}(*)$$ for $ninmathbb{N}$. It is sufficient to show that $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ since we have
$$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} +sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1}=sum_{k=0}^{2n} binom{2n}{k} = 2^{2n}.hspace{2cm}(**)$$ Let apply induction for $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$.
For $n=1$ equality is true. For $n=m$ assume equality is true, namely $sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}=2^{2m-1}$(Here note that $sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}=2^{2m-1}$ is also true by (**)). For $n=m+1$,
begin{eqnarray*}sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m+2}{2k}&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1}left{ binom{2m}{2k-1}+binom{2m}{2k-2}+binom{2m}{2k}+binom{2m}{2k-1}right}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+2sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}+sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}\
&=&4.2^{2m-1}=2^{2m+1}end{eqnarray*} by use of $binom{n}{k}=binom{n-1}{k-1}+binom{n-1}{k}$. Hence equality $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ is valid for $ninmathbb{N}$ which implies $(*)$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Could you please explain the transformation in more detail from $sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$ to $sum_{k=0}^{n} {2nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n - 1} {2nchoose2k+1} = 2^{2n-1}$
$endgroup$
– Nick
Jan 24 at 12:58
$begingroup$
Since you take $n$ as even natural number in your question, we can make transformation $n=2m$ where $minmathbb{N}$. Then, your formula transforms accordingly.
$endgroup$
– guest
Jan 24 at 13:41
add a comment |
$begingroup$
For brevity we prove $$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1} = 2^{2n-1},hspace{2cm}(*)$$ for $ninmathbb{N}$. It is sufficient to show that $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ since we have
$$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} +sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1}=sum_{k=0}^{2n} binom{2n}{k} = 2^{2n}.hspace{2cm}(**)$$ Let apply induction for $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$.
For $n=1$ equality is true. For $n=m$ assume equality is true, namely $sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}=2^{2m-1}$(Here note that $sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}=2^{2m-1}$ is also true by (**)). For $n=m+1$,
begin{eqnarray*}sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m+2}{2k}&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1}left{ binom{2m}{2k-1}+binom{2m}{2k-2}+binom{2m}{2k}+binom{2m}{2k-1}right}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+2sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}+sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}\
&=&4.2^{2m-1}=2^{2m+1}end{eqnarray*} by use of $binom{n}{k}=binom{n-1}{k-1}+binom{n-1}{k}$. Hence equality $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ is valid for $ninmathbb{N}$ which implies $(*)$.
$endgroup$
For brevity we prove $$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1} = 2^{2n-1},hspace{2cm}(*)$$ for $ninmathbb{N}$. It is sufficient to show that $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ since we have
$$sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k} +sum_{k=0}^{n-1} binom{2n}{2k+1}=sum_{k=0}^{2n} binom{2n}{k} = 2^{2n}.hspace{2cm}(**)$$ Let apply induction for $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$.
For $n=1$ equality is true. For $n=m$ assume equality is true, namely $sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}=2^{2m-1}$(Here note that $sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}=2^{2m-1}$ is also true by (**)). For $n=m+1$,
begin{eqnarray*}sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m+2}{2k}&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1}left{ binom{2m}{2k-1}+binom{2m}{2k-2}+binom{2m}{2k}+binom{2m}{2k-1}right}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+ 2sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-1}+sum_{k=0}^{m+1} binom{2m}{2k-2}\
&=&sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}+2sum_{k=0}^{m-1} binom{2m}{2k+1}+sum_{k=0}^{m} binom{2m}{2k}\
&=&4.2^{2m-1}=2^{2m+1}end{eqnarray*} by use of $binom{n}{k}=binom{n-1}{k-1}+binom{n-1}{k}$. Hence equality $sum_{k=0}^{n} binom{2n}{2k}=2^{2n-1}$ is valid for $ninmathbb{N}$ which implies $(*)$.
edited Jan 24 at 13:36
answered Jan 24 at 12:14
guestguest
775416
775416
$begingroup$
Could you please explain the transformation in more detail from $sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$ to $sum_{k=0}^{n} {2nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n - 1} {2nchoose2k+1} = 2^{2n-1}$
$endgroup$
– Nick
Jan 24 at 12:58
$begingroup$
Since you take $n$ as even natural number in your question, we can make transformation $n=2m$ where $minmathbb{N}$. Then, your formula transforms accordingly.
$endgroup$
– guest
Jan 24 at 13:41
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Could you please explain the transformation in more detail from $sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$ to $sum_{k=0}^{n} {2nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n - 1} {2nchoose2k+1} = 2^{2n-1}$
$endgroup$
– Nick
Jan 24 at 12:58
$begingroup$
Since you take $n$ as even natural number in your question, we can make transformation $n=2m$ where $minmathbb{N}$. Then, your formula transforms accordingly.
$endgroup$
– guest
Jan 24 at 13:41
$begingroup$
Could you please explain the transformation in more detail from $sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$ to $sum_{k=0}^{n} {2nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n - 1} {2nchoose2k+1} = 2^{2n-1}$
$endgroup$
– Nick
Jan 24 at 12:58
$begingroup$
Could you please explain the transformation in more detail from $sum_{k=0}^{n/2} {nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n/2 - 1} {nchoose2k+1} = 2^{n-1}$ to $sum_{k=0}^{n} {2nchoose2k} = sum_{k=0}^{n - 1} {2nchoose2k+1} = 2^{2n-1}$
$endgroup$
– Nick
Jan 24 at 12:58
$begingroup$
Since you take $n$ as even natural number in your question, we can make transformation $n=2m$ where $minmathbb{N}$. Then, your formula transforms accordingly.
$endgroup$
– guest
Jan 24 at 13:41
$begingroup$
Since you take $n$ as even natural number in your question, we can make transformation $n=2m$ where $minmathbb{N}$. Then, your formula transforms accordingly.
$endgroup$
– guest
Jan 24 at 13:41
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
You can use the symmetry of the binomial coefficients to show the first equality. Then you can use the binomial theorem to show that the sum of the first two is equal to $2^n$ and conclude the second equality using the first one.
$endgroup$
– Severin Schraven
Jan 24 at 11:15