# Pascal's Rule

• July 6th 2010, 10:03 AM
minicooper58
Pascal's Rule
Hi this question was in Advanced Higher Maths in the UK
Show that (n+1 , 3) - (n ,3 )=(n ,2)
They are written in column vector form ie n+1 at top and 3 at the bottom for example for the first. I think you have to use the n c r formula to prove the rhs
it for this question using the identity:

(n , r-1)+(n ,r)=(n+1, r) written as column vectors

Thanks
• July 6th 2010, 10:10 AM
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Quote:

Originally Posted by minicooper58
Hi this question was in Advanced Higher Maths in the UK
Show that (n+1 , 3) - (n ,3 )=(n ,2)
They are written in column vector form ie n+1 at top and 3 at the bottom for example for the first. I think you have to use the n c r formula to prove the rhs
it for this question using the identity:

(n , r-1)+(n ,r)=(n+1, r) written as column vectors

Thanks

I see you are unsatisfied by my responses in this thread. Why not just ask about what you didn't understand?
• July 6th 2010, 11:34 AM
Also sprach Zarathustra
Pascal's Rule
Combinatorial proof:

Pascal's Rule states:

${n\choose k} = {n-1\choose k} + {n-1 \choose k-1}$

Proof:

Let $x$ be an element of group of $n$ elements.
The number of combinations of $k$ elements from group of $n$ elements, which is not containing the element $x$ is give by: ${n-1\choose k}$, now, the number of combinations which containing element $x$ is: ${n-1 \choose k-1}$.

But, every combination is containing $x$ or not containing $x$. Hence, the total number ${n\choose k}$ of combinations of $k$ from $n$ elements is the sum of the above.

Q.E.D