Mathematical induction with the binomial formula

In summary, the conversation discusses using mathematical induction to prove an equation involving binomial coefficients and positive values of t. The base case is checked and the induction assumption is made. The next step involves proving a statement by comparing the left and right sides of the equation. By applying the induction hypothesis, it is shown that both sides are equal.
  • #1
liorda
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0

Homework Statement


prove, using mathematical induction, that the next equation holds for all positive t.
[tex]\sum_{k=0}^n \dbinom{k+t}{k} = \dbinom{t+n+1}{n}[/tex]

Homework Equations


[tex]\dbinom{n}{k} = {{n!} \over {k!(n-k)!}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


checked that the base is correct (for t=0, and even for t=1), and made the induction assumption, by replacing t with p.

the next step, replacing t with p+1 holds me back:

I need to prove the next statement: [tex]\sum_{k=0}^{n} \dbinom{k+p+1}{k} = \dbinom{n+p+2}{n}[/tex]

LHS: [tex]\sum_{k=0}^n \dbinom{k+p+1}{k} = \sum_{k=0}^n \left[ \dbinom{k+p}{k} \left(k \over {p+1} +1 \right) \right] = {{1} \over {p+1}} \sum_{k=0}^n \left[ \dbinom{k+p}{k} k \right] + \dbinom{n+p+1}{n}[/tex]

RHS: [tex]\sum_{k=0}^n {{(k+p+1)!}\over{k!(p+1)!}} = \sum_{k=0}^n {{(k+p)!(k+p+1)}\over{k!p!(p+1)}} = \sum_{k=0}^n \dbinom{k+p}{k} + \sum_{k=0}^n \dbinom{k+p}{k} {{k}\over{p+1}}[/tex]

where can I go from here?
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
You are already done.
In the final expression you gave for the RHS,
[tex] \sum_{k=0}^n \dbinom{k+p}{k} + \sum_{k=0}^n \dbinom{k+p}{k} {{k}\over{p+1}}
[/tex]
apply the induction hypothesis and you'll see that both sides are equal/
 

What is mathematical induction with the binomial formula?

Mathematical induction is a method of mathematical proof used to prove that a statement is true for all natural numbers. The binomial formula, also known as the binomial theorem, is an expression that allows us to expand a binomial raised to a power. Together, mathematical induction with the binomial formula is a technique used to prove statements involving binomial coefficients.

How does mathematical induction work with the binomial formula?

To use mathematical induction with the binomial formula, we follow these steps:
1. Show that the statement is true for the first natural number (usually 1).
2. Assume that the statement is true for some arbitrary natural number, called k.
3. Using this assumption, prove that the statement is also true for the next natural number (k+1).
4. Conclude that the statement is true for all natural numbers.
Essentially, we use the fact that the statement is true for k to prove that it is also true for k+1, and we can repeat this process to prove that it is true for all natural numbers.

What are binomial coefficients?

Binomial coefficients are the numerical coefficients in the expansion of a binomial raised to a power. For example, in the binomial (a+b)^3, the binomial coefficients are 1, 3, and 3, which come from the coefficients of a^3, a^2b, and b^3 in the expansion (a+b)^3 = a^3 + 3a^2b + 3ab^2 + b^3.

How do we use the binomial formula in mathematical induction?

In mathematical induction, we often use the binomial formula to expand expressions involving binomial coefficients. This allows us to manipulate and simplify the expressions in order to prove our statement for all natural numbers.

What are some common examples of using mathematical induction with the binomial formula?

One common example is proving the binomial theorem, which states that (a+b)^n = Sum from k=0 to n of (n choose k) * a^(n-k) * b^k. Another example is proving identities involving binomial coefficients, such as (n choose k) = (n-1 choose k) + (n-1 choose k-1). These techniques are also commonly used in combinatorics and probability problems.

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