Simplifying Product Homework: Combinatorics Problem on Object Arrangements

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on simplifying a combinatorial expression for arranging R distinct types of objects, given their quantities. The main equation under review is the product of combinations, expressed as $$\prod_{j=1}^{R} {_{n - \sum_{i=1}^{j}{r_{i-1}}}C_{r_j}}$$. The user is verifying their calculations, which involve factorials and combinations, to ensure accuracy in the arrangement formula. They conclude that if the total number of objects equals the sum of the distinct types, the derived expression appears correct. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clarity in combinatorial problems and the verification of mathematical expressions.
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Homework Statement


This is a child thread I'm creating from a previous topic:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/combinatorics-problem.871661/#post-5473920

In that thread, I was helped to come up with the expression for the number of arrangements of R distinct types of objects given the number of objects for each object type: {r_i} I'm just trying to simplify it now. I wanted to double check the work. Something seems off.

Homework Equations


$$\prod {_{n - \sum{r_{i-1}}}C_{r_j}}$$
or more specifically,
$$\prod_{j=1}^{R} {_{n - \sum_{i=1}^{j}{r_{i-1}}}C_{r_j}}$$
$$r_0 = 0$$

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
$$_{m}C_{k} = \frac{m!}{k!(m-k)!}$$
$$\therefore \space\space\space\space\prod_{j=1}^{R} \frac{(n - \sum_{i=1}^{j}{r_{i-1}})!}{r_j!(n - \sum_{i=1}^{j}{r_{i-1}} - r_j)!}$$

$$\frac{(n - 0)! \cdot (n - r_1)! \cdot (n - r_1 - r_ 2)! ... }{(r_1! \cdot r_2! \cdot r_3! ... ) [(n - r_1)! \cdot (n - r_1 - r_2)! \cdot (n - r_1 - r_2 - r_3)! ... ] }$$

$$n!\prod_{j=1}^{R} \frac{1}{r_j!}$$Let me know if I can clear anything up!
 
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Provided it is the case that ##\sum_{i=1}^Rr_i=n##, that looks correct to me.
 
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