Contents
Permutations
Combinations
Claim
$ {n \choose r} = {n \choose n-r} $
Proof(Counting Argument)
$ {n \choose r} = $
$ = $ # ways to CHOOSE r things from n
$ = $ # ways of LEAVING 'n-r' things from n
$ = $ # ways of CHOOSING 'n-r' things from n $ = {n \choose n-r} $. QED
Binomial Coefficients
Pascal's Triangle
Binomial Theorem
Definition
$ (x+y)^n = \sum_{i=0}^n {n \choose k}x^i y^{n-i}, $
$ \text{where } {n \choose k} = \frac{n!}{n!(n-r)!}. $
Example
- What is $ \sum_{i=0}^n {n \choose k} = {n \choose 0} + {n \choose 1} + .. + {n \choose n} ? $
Solution: Using the Binomial Theorem, let x = y = 1. Then, $ \sum_{i=0}^n {n \choose k} (1)^i (1)^{n-i} = \underline{\sum_{i=0}^n {n \choose k}} = (1+1)^n = \underline{2^n}. $
