What is the result of the sum of binomial coefficients with alternating signs?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the sum of binomial coefficients with alternating signs, specifically the expression $\displaystyle S=\sum_{k=0}^{2n}(-1)^k{2n\choose k}{4n\choose 2k}$. Participants explore potential results and methods for proving the formula.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that the sum can be expressed as $$S = \frac{(-1)^n(6n)!(2n)!}{(4n)!(3n)!n!}$$ but admits uncertainty about how to prove this claim.
  • Another participant confirms the proposed formula as correct and provides a hint involving generating functions: $(1-x^2)^m(1+x)^{2m}=(1-x)^m(1+x)^{3m}$.
  • One participant mentions calculating specific values of $S_n$ for $n=1,\,2,\,3$ and finding a match with the OEIS, suggesting predictive value for the formula.
  • The same participant calculated $S_4$ and found it to be $104006$, which aligns with their proposed formula.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the proof of the proposed formula, although one participant expresses confidence in its correctness based on numerical evidence. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the method of proof.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on numerical calculations and external references (OEIS) to support their claims, but the discussion does not clarify the underlying assumptions or provide a formal proof for the proposed formula.

hxthanh
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Evaluate sum:

$\displaystyle S=\sum_{k=0}^{2n}(-1)^k{2n\choose k}{4n\choose 2k}$
 
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hxthanh said:
Evaluate sum:

$\displaystyle S_n=\sum_{k=0}^{2n}(-1)^k{2n\choose k}{4n\choose 2k}$
I believe that the answer must be $$S = \frac{(-1)^n(6n)!(2n)!}{(4n)!(3n)!n!}$$, but I have NO idea how one might prove that.

What I did was to calculate $S_n$ when $n=1,\,2,\,3$, and then look those numbers up in the OEIS. This gave the above formula, and suggested that the next result, when $n=4$, would be $104006$. I then laboriously calculated $S_4$, and found that it is indeed $104006$. So my proposed formula has predictive value and therefore must be correct. (Wasntme) Now perhaps somebody can tell me why.
 
Opalg said:
I believe that the answer must be $$S = \frac{(-1)^n(6n)!(2n)!}{(4n)!(3n)!n!}$$, but I have NO idea how one might prove that.
...
Your result is absolute correct!(Clapping)
Hint: [sp] $(1-x^2)^m(1+x)^{2m}=(1-x)^m(1+x)^{3m}$[/sp]

Good luck! (Sun)
 
My solution
We start from the formula $(1-x^2)^m(1+x)^{2m}=(1-x)^m(1+x)^{3m}$
Now applying the binomial theorem
We have: $$ \sum_{k=0}^m (-1)^k{m\choose k}x^{2k} \sum_{j=0}^{2m} {2m\choose j}x^j = \sum_{k=0}^m (-1)^k{m\choose k}x^k \sum_{j=0}^{3m} {3m\choose j}x^j$$

\begin{equation} \label{eq1}\tag{1}\Leftrightarrow \sum_{k=0}^m \sum_{j=0}^{2m}(-1)^k {m\choose k} {2m\choose j}x^{2k+j} = \sum_{k=0}^m \sum_{j=0}^{3m} (-1)^k {m\choose k}{3m\choose j}x^{k+j} \end{equation}
compare coefficient of $x^{2m}$ in $\eqref{eq1} $ then we get
$\displaystyle \quad\sum_{2k+j=2m}(-1)^k {m\choose k} {2m\choose j}=\sum_{k+j=2m}(-1)^k {m\choose k} {3m\choose j}$
$\displaystyle \Leftrightarrow \sum_{k=0}^m(-1)^k {m\choose k} {2m\choose 2m-2k}=\sum_{k=0}^m (-1)^k {m\choose k} {3m\choose 2m-k}$
$\displaystyle \Leftrightarrow \sum_{k=0}^m(-1)^k {m\choose k} {2m\choose 2k}=\sum_{k=0}^m (-1)^k {m\choose k} {3m\choose m+k}$

with $m=2n$ then
\begin{equation} \label{eq2} \begin{aligned} S&=\sum_{k=0}^{2n}(-1)^k {2n\choose k} {4n\choose 2k}=\sum_{k=0}^{2n} (-1)^k {2n\choose k} {6n\choose 2n+k} \\ &=\sum_{k=0}^{2n} \dfrac{(-1)^k(2n)!(6n!)}{k!(2n-k)!(2n+k)!(4n-k)!} \\ &=\dfrac{(2n)!(6n)!}{(4n)!(4n)!} \sum_{k=0}^{2n} \dfrac{(-1)^k(4n)!(4n!)}{k!(4n-k)!(2n+k)!(2n-k)!} \\ &= \dfrac{(2n)!(6n)!}{(4n)!(4n)!} \sum_{k=0}^{2n} (-1)^k {4n\choose k} {4n\choose 2n-k} \\ &= \dfrac{(2n)!(6n)!}{(4n)!(4n)!} \sum_{k+j=2n} (-1)^k {4n\choose k} {4n\choose j}\tag{2} \end{aligned} \end{equation}
next to formula $(1-x^2)^{4r}=(1-x)^{4r}(1+x)^{4r}$
we get $ \displaystyle \sum_{k=0}^{4r}(-1)^k {4r\choose k}x^{2k}=\sum_{k=0}^{4r} \sum_{j=0}^{4r} (-1)^k {4r\choose k} {4r\choose j}x^{k+j}$
now, compare coefficient of $x^{2r}$ in that then we get
\begin{equation} \label{eq3}\tag{3} (-1)^r {4r\choose r}=\sum_{k+j=2r}(-1)^k {4r\choose k} {4r\choose j}\end{equation}
From $\eqref{eq2}$ and $\eqref{eq3}$, we have:
$$S=\dfrac{(2n)!(6n)!}{(4n)!(4n)!}\cdot(-1)^n{4n\choose n}=\dfrac{(-1)^n(2n)!(6n)!}{n!(3n)!(4n)!}$$
 
Last edited:

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