Combinatorics/Probability problem.

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The discussion revolves around proving the combinatorial identity involving the sum of products of binomial coefficients, specifically relating to the expression R^{M}_{P}. Participants express frustration over the complexity of the problem, indicating that traditional counting methods and advanced properties of binomial coefficients have not yielded results. Connections to Banach's modified matchbox problem and the Bernoulli triangle are mentioned, but no clear solutions emerge. The right side of the equation is interpreted as representing a selection process involving a leader and a group, yet the link to the left side remains elusive. Overall, the problem is acknowledged as challenging, with contributors sharing their attempts and insights without reaching a definitive conclusion.
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Homework Statement



Let R ^{M} _{P}= \sum_{s=0}^{P} {M+1 \choose s}, for 0 \leqslant P \leqslant M, P,M\in \mathbb{N}.

Proove that:
\sum_{q=0}^{M}R^{M}_{q}\cdot R^{M}_{M-q}=(2M+1) {2M \choose M}

and give it's combinatorical idea.

I'm trying to solve this for 3 days - please help..
 
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What do you have so far? What have you tried?
 
It was an usual exercise in probability theory course. It looks easy
but I'm trying to solve this for a long time without success.

1) I know that trying simply to count it - isn't the right way (even
using some advanced properties of binomial coefficient).2) It could be connected with Banach's modified matchbox problem, but
not neccessery (right side of the formula multiplied by 2^{n-1} is
expected number of matches..)

3) right sight looks like "choosing the leader and it's group" but i
cannot find connection with left side with this 'intuition'

4) typing R^{M}_{P} with Gamma and hypergeometric function is not a
good option - too many calculations

5) It could be connected with properties of 'Bernoulli triangle' but i
couldn't find any materials about that.
(it's The number triangle (Sloane's A008949) composed of the partial
sums of binomial coefficients)

6) I couldn't find anything useful in "Advanced Combinatorics"
(Comtet) or Combinatorics 2nd R. Merris
---
well, i can show you some easy calculations (but i don't think that it makes the problem easier):
\sum_{q=0}^{M}R^{M}_{q}\cdot R^{M}_{M-q}= \sum_{q=0}^{M}R^{M}_{q}\cdot (2^{M+1} - R_{q}^{M}) = 2^{M+1}\cdot \sum_{q=0}^{M}(M+1-q)\cdot {M+1 \choose q} - \sum_{q=0}^{M} (R^{M}_{q})^{2} = 2^{M+1}\cdot \sum_{q=0}^{M+1}q\cdot {M+1 \choose q} - \sum_{q=0}^{M} (R^{M}_{q})^{2} =
=2^{2M+1}\cdot (M+1) - \sum_{q=0}^{M} (R^{M}_{q})^{2}

On the other hand: (Banach's matchbox problem and it's expecting value):
(2M+1)\cdot {2M \choose M} = 2^{2M} + \sum_{q=0}^{M} q\cdot {2M-q \choose M}\cdot 2^{q}
 
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Well, I took a look and couldn't get any farther than you did, sorry! Definitely does not look easy ...
 
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