Chapter 29: Problem 2
Write out explicitly (a) \(\left(\begin{array}{l}n \\ 0\end{array}\right)\) (b) \(\left(\begin{array}{l}n \\ 1\end{array}\right)\) (c) \(\left(\begin{array}{l}n \\ 2\end{array}\right)\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
(a) 1, (b) n, (c) \( \frac{n(n-1)}{2} \)
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Combination Notation
The notation \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ r \end{array} \right) \) represents the number of ways to choose \( r \) elements from a set of \( n \) elements. It is also known as a binomial coefficient and is calculated as \( \frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!} \), where \( ! \) denotes factorial.
02
Step A - Calculating \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \\ 0 \end{array} \right) \)
For \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ 0 \end{array} \right) \), we calculate \( \frac{n!}{0!(n-0)!} \). Since \( 0! = 1 \), this simplifies to \( \frac{n!}{n!} = 1 \). Thus, \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ 0 \end{array} \right) = 1 \).
03
Step B - Calculating \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \\ 1 \end{array} \right) \)
For \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ 1 \end{array} \right) \), we have \( \frac{n!}{1!(n-1)!} \). Since \( 1! = 1 \), this reduces to \( \frac{n!}{(n-1)!} = n \), which means \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ 1 \end{array} \right) = n \).
04
Step C - Calculating \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \\ 2 \end{array} \right) \)
For \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ 2 \end{array} \right) \), the formula is \( \frac{n!}{2!(n-2)!} \). Simplifying, \( 2! = 2 \), this becomes: \( \frac{n \cdot (n - 1) \cdot (n-2)!}{2 \cdot (n-2)!} \). Canceling \( (n-2)! \), we get \( \frac{n(n-1)}{2} \). Thus, \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ 2 \end{array} \right) = \frac{n(n-1)}{2} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Binomial Coefficient
The binomial coefficient is a crucial concept in combinatorics. It helps us determine the number of ways to select a specific number of items from a larger set. This is denoted by the symbol \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ r \end{array} \right) \), where \( n \) is the total number of items, and \( r \) is the number of items to choose.
- Meaning: The binomial coefficient tells us how many combinations of \( r \) items can be chosen from \( n \) without considering the order.
- Calculation: It is calculated using the formula \( \frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!} \), which involves factorials of \( n \), \( r \), and \( n-r \).
- Examples: Using this, we can easily compute \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ 0 \end{array} \right) = 1 \), meaning there's exactly one way to choose nothing (choose 0 items).
The Functionality of Factorials
Factorials, denoted by an exclamation mark \( ! \), are essential for calculating permutations and combinations. The factorial of a number \( n \) is the product of all positive integers less than or equal to \( n \).
- Basic Definition: For any positive integer \( n \), \( n! = n \times (n-1) \times (n-2) \times \ldots \times 2 \times 1 \).
- Special Cases: By definition, we consider \( 0! = 1 \), which simplifies many calculations, particularly when \( r = 0 \) in binomial coefficients.
- Usage in Problems: Factorials are used in the combination formula \( \frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!} \), simplifying expressions when finding combinations of elements.
Exploring the Combination Formula
The combination formula, built using binomial coefficients and factorials, is a powerful tool for solving problems where order does not matter in selections.
- Formula: The formula is \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ r \end{array} \right) = \frac{n!}{r!(n-r)!} \). This expression tells us how to divide the total arrangements of \( n \) elements by the arrangements of \( r \) elements and the remaining \( (n-r) \) elements.
- Applications: This formula is widely used in fields like probability, where determining the number of ways events can occur is crucial.
- Step-by-Step Example: For \( \left( \begin{array}{c} n \ 1 \end{array} \right) = \frac{n!}{1!(n-1)!} \), simplifying gives \( n \), as it is simply choosing one item out of many.