Questions tagged [catalan-numbers]

For questions on Catalan numbers, a sequence of natural numbers that occur in various counting problems.

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Lattice Paths $C_{n}$ & $C_{n-1}$

I'm trying to see if I'm correct with a general approach to solving these lattice path problems using the commonly known reflection proof and the Catalan numbers. If we want to see how many paths we ...
Ziggy's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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Catalan numbers in numerical sequences

How to show that the number of sequences of the form ($a_1$, $a_2$, ..., $a_n$) when $\sum_{k=1}^i(a_k)$ >= $i$ for each $i$ and $\sum_{k=1}^n(a_k)$ = $n$ is equal to the corresponding Catalan ...
noname's user avatar
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Counting Paths in the XY Plane (Discrete math) [duplicate]

I need help with the following mathematical task: A particle moves in the xy-plane according to the following rules: U: (m, n) → (m+1, n+1) L: (m, n) → (m+1, n-1) where m and n are integers. I need ...
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$n$- transposition permutations in $S_{2n}$ which decompose a $2n$-cycle into $n+1$ cycles

I was learning about Catalan numbers online. I have understood the combinatorial argument, recurrence relation and generating function based proofs of Dyck words and Dyck paths. Let $S_{2n}$ be the ...
Nothing special's user avatar
7 votes
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394 views

Finding a closed form for the series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{\binom{2n}{n}^3}{64^n(n+1)^k}$ for $k=1,2,3,4$

Context: This question is related to Calculate $\sum_{n = 0}^\infty \frac{C_n^2}{16^n}$ and Is there a closed form for a give infinite sum?. We have also: $$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{\binom{2n}{n}^3}{...
User's user avatar
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Binary string such that always at least as many 0s as 1s

Problem: Find the number of binary strings of length $10$ with $5$ ones and $5$ zeros such that, at any given point in the string (reading from left to right), there has appeared at least as many $0$s ...
Martin Westin's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
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Bijection between the set of coin tosses with an equal number of $H$'s and $T$'s and the set where $H$'s and $T$'s are never equal

Let $D_n$ be the set of $2n$ coin tosses where the number of $H$'s and $T$'s are never equal as you read from left to right. For example, $$D_2 = \lbrace TTTT, TTTH, TTHT, HHTH, HHHT, HHHH \rbrace.$$ ...
Alex's user avatar
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Non-Negative Partial Sums and Double Factorial

Consider a sequence, $s$, with elements $1$ and $-1$, of length $2k$, $k > 0$, with sum zero and non-negative partial sums, so that: \begin{align} \sum_{i=1}^{2k} s_{i} &= 0 \\ p_j = \sum_{i=1}^...
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Geometrical/Combinatorial interpretation of $ \pi = \frac{27}{4 \sqrt 3} \sum_2^∞ \frac{1}{C(k)} $

I found this question on here, but no real answer was given. Is there a geometrical or combinatorial interpretation of this result? $ \pi = \frac{27}{4 \sqrt 3} \sum_2^∞ \frac{1}{C(k)} $ Where $ C(k) $...
user967210's user avatar
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65 views

Catalan number's combinatoric proof

prove a combinatoric proof the identity: $ \sum_{k=0}^{n} $$\frac{1}{k+1}\binom{2k}{k}\binom{2n-2k}{n-k} = \binom{2n+1}{n} $ I tried using Catalan numbers: and one of the formulas for them: $C_{n} = $...
yahel amity's user avatar
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Formal Power Series for Recursion where Successor is Linear Combination of all Predecessors

I am trying to solve a recursion of the form \begin{equation*}a_n=\sum_{j=1}^{n-1} k_{j,n} \cdot a_j + d_n \end{equation*} where $k_{j,n}$ and $d_n$ are constants depending on $j,n$ and $n$, ...
Antigone's user avatar
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A curious identity for powers of the generating function of the Catalan numbers.

For a power series $\displaystyle f(x)=\sum_{n\geq 0}a_n x^n$ let $\displaystyle[f(x)]_r=\sum_{n\geq r} a_n x^n.$ Let $\displaystyle c(x)=\frac{1-\sqrt{1-4x}}{2x}$ be the generating function of the ...
Johann Cigler's user avatar
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Balanced binary sequence with odd length.

I am facing an equal problem to this but I can't seem to have an algorithm that would allow me to count it. The problem: Let X(n) be the set of all possible balanced binary sequences, where 0's ...
study.isLove's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
103 views

Finding the Formula for the Catalan Numbers and Motzkin Numbers

I have derived the following generating function for the Catalan numbers: $$C(x)=\frac{1-\sqrt{1-4x}}{2x}$$ Now I know my next step is to use the extended binomial theorem to expand $$\sqrt{1-4x}=(1+(-...
Moh's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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Equivalent classes in monotonic lattice paths and Catalan numbers

I have already understand the basic proof of Catalan numbers through monotonic lattice paths. However, I am know figuring out the specific case: if the two paths are symmetric about a diagonal line (...
Erus Izumi's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
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Catalan interpretation

I have question and I think the answer is equal with Catalan numbers. The question as follows: The number of the sequence $a_0a_1a_2\cdots a_na_{n+1}$ of integers with $a_i\geq 2, a_0=a_{n+1}=1$ and $...
d.y's user avatar
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How to evaluate $\sum_{i=0}^n i^2 C_{i-1} C_{n-i-2}$?

I'm evaluating the sum and I've gone through things below: Consider $C_{-2}=0,C_{-1}=-1 \\$ where $C_n$ stands for the nth Catalan number $$ S_n=∑_{i=1}^ni^2 C_{i-1} C_{n-i-2}=∑_{i=0}^ni^2 C_{i-1} C_{...
lyx's user avatar
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(Code implementation of) Gosper's algorithm for sums (of catalan numbers) that are dependent on end-point

I'm working on my understanding of Catalan numbers and recurrence relations in general. In trying to prove they satisfy a certain recurrence relation, I wanted to find a telescoping sequence to ...
DaSaxxy's user avatar
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Dyck paths without centered tunnels

This is from Stanley's Catalan Numbers, problem 36: I have difficulty understanding the problem: there is no $L$, $L$'s endpoints lie on $P$ (what is $P$?) and every point of $L$ lies on or below $D$,...
Haoran Chen's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
44 views

Left factors $L$ of Dyck paths such that $L$ has $n-1$ up steps

From Stanley's Catalan Numbers, problem 28: Left factors $L$ of Dyck paths such that $L$ has $n-1$ up steps. I don't understand what this means. If after a sequence of ups, there are equal number or ...
Haoran Chen's user avatar
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How to prove $\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}(-1)^k\binom{n+k}{2k+1}C_k=1$? [duplicate]

How to prove the following identity? $$ \sum_{k=0}^{n-1}(-1)^k\binom{n+k}{2k+1}C_k=1 $$ where $C_k$ is the $k$th Catalan number, $C_n=\frac{1}{k+1}\binom{2k}{k}$. This question is similar to this but ...
bananana's user avatar
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1 answer
76 views

Probability / Permuations: Expected Number of Games Till Bust

You bet 1 dollar in a game in which the win probability of each round is 0.55. As long as you don't go bust (have $0 left), you could bet up to 100 times. You start with 4 dollars in the bank. What is ...
lavam's user avatar
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Let $a_n$ denote the number of circular words of length $2n + 1$ over the alphabet A = {0,1} in which exactly $n$ zeroes occur.

I started studying on discrete mathematics and I came across the following "advanced question" in my textbook: Let $a_n$ denote the number of circular words of length $2n + 1$ over the ...
MathStarter's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
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How to count pairs with Catalan distribution

Say I have a set of $n$ pairs, such that I have a total of $2n$ elements. I arrange them in pairs following a Catalan distribution, i.e. if I lay them in a 1D line, I have no crossing (See the ...
J.Agusti's user avatar
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1 answer
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Catalan numbers, paths on a grid

I'm struggling to understand the concept of the idea. Some questions "push" me to use the reflection method which is hard for me to imagine and understand. I prefer to look at it as a ...
X4J's user avatar
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1 answer
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Modify the lattice path for Catalan Number

It is known that $C_{n}$ ($n$-th Catalan number) is the number of monotonic lattice paths along the edges of a grid with $n\times n$ square cells, which do not pass above the diagonal. A monotonic ...
1Spectre1's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
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A series sum involving Catalan numbers

I was trying to compute $$\sum_{k=0}^{n} \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)^k \, \binom{2k}{k} \, \frac{k}{k+1} = \sum_{k=0}^n \left(-\frac12\right)^k k C_k$$ (where $C_k$ is the $k^{\rm th}$ Catalan number) ...
physicist's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
345 views

Number of balanced bracket sequences with given prefix and suffix

I've been trying to solve the following problem: Find the number of balanced bracket sequences of size $N+M+K$ which start with a prefix of $N$ continuous opening brackets and end with a suffix of $M$ ...
User1234's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
51 views

I am trying to understand a certain proof of Catalan numbers and I do not understand a math behind one part

The proof got that $$ \frac{1}{k+1}\frac{(2k)!}{(k!)^2}=\frac{1}{k+1}{2k \choose k} $$ Which indeed is the formula for Catalan numbers but I do not understand how: $$ \frac{(2k!)}{(k!)^2}={2k \choose ...
Mihailo's user avatar
  • 73
0 votes
1 answer
43 views

Compute how many ways to get to (n,n) from (0,0) you must cross x=y only once at (k,k+1)

In the question we have a cat in $(0,0)$. The cat can only go right or up. The cat wants to reach $(n,n)$, but must go through one of the points above $(x=y)$. Meaning a point $(k,k+1)$. Compute how ...
DanaN's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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Catalan Numbers as placing objects into boxes

Let $a_n$ be the number of ways of placing $n$ indistinguishable objects into $n$ distinguishable boxes called $B_1$, $B_2$, ..., $B_n$, such that the following hold: There is at most $1$ object in $...
beans's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
125 views

Product of Inverse Hankel Matrix

Consider $H_n$, the $n\times n$ Hankel matrix of the Catalan numbers starting from $2$: $$H_n = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 5 & 14 & 42 & 132\\ 5 & 14 & 42 & 132 & 429\\ 14 &...
yanjunk's user avatar
  • 164
0 votes
1 answer
51 views

Find coefficient in series expansion of $x^2C^3(x)$

I need to find the $n$-th coefficient of the expression $P(x)=x^2C^3(x)$ where $C(x)$ is the generating function for the Catalan numbers: $$C(x)=\frac{1-\sqrt{1-4x}}{2x}$$ I'm trying to solve the ...
Daniel Checa's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
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A problem about diagonal lattice path [duplicate]

The problem I am facing is: Suppose we have a diagonal lattice path which is defined over a $x-y$ coordinate plane. We can go either from $(i,j)$ to $(i+1,j+1)$ or from $(i,j)$ to $(i+1,j-1)$. Then ...
End points's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
111 views

Verification of $(m+1)| \binom{2m}{m}$ and interpretation

While examining the central binomial coefficients, I noticed that $(m+1)$ always seemed to divide $\binom{2m}{m}$. I would like to confirm that a short proof I have found, using Hall's theorem, is ...
legionwhale's user avatar
  • 2,165
6 votes
1 answer
201 views

Combinatorial proof for a Catalan number identity with an alternating sum.

Define the function $$ T_a(x) := 1/(a + 1/x). \tag1 $$ It is easy to check that $$ T_{a+b}(x) = T_a (T_b(x)). \tag2 $$ Specialize this equality to get $$ x = T_ 0(x) = T_ 1(T_{-1}(x)) = T_{-1}(T_ 1(x))...
Somos's user avatar
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1 vote
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Is there a way to find the integer solutions of $x^2 = y^3 + 1$ with elementary NT [duplicate]

I am a 14 year old that started preparing for the youth Balkaniad. I stumbled on some questions that will be way easier if only I knew how to solve this( I am not allowed to use Catalans in the ...
Helixglich's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
176 views

The relation of the Bernoulli numbers to the Catalan numbers

The Bernoulli numbers $B_n$ are the backbone of calculus, and according to B. Mazur, they "act as a unifying force, holding together seemingly disparate fields of mathematics." The Catalan ...
Peter Luschny's user avatar
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0 answers
59 views

Products of Catalan Numbers

The catalan numbers are extremely well known, with several bijections and a known generating function. But what about products of catalan numbers? If we define the sequence $P(x) = \prod_{i=0}^x C(i)$,...
sfs2007's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
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Proof of equating coefficients validity in Catalan number formula derivation?

Kindly find below the $5^{th}$ proof of Catalan formula from Wikipedia. After obtaining $2$ formulas for $B_{n+1}-C_{n+1}$, in this case why is it valid to say that $2B_i-C_i={2i+1\choose i}$? ...
Mohamed EL Tair's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
224 views

Factors of central binomial coefficient

The central binomial coefficient $\binom{2n}{n}$ is divisible by $n+1$, as seen from the identity $$\binom{2n}{n} = (n+1)\binom{2n}{n} -(n+1)\binom{2n}{n+1}.$$ In fact the Catalan numbers $$C_n=\frac{...
Valerio's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
359 views

Conjecture: $\frac1\pi=\sum_{n=0}^\infty\left((n+1)\frac{C_n^3}{2^{6n}}\sum_{k=0}^n(-1)^k{n\choose k}{\frac{(n-k)(k-1)}{(2k-1)(2k+1)}}\right)$

Let $C_n$ denote the $n$-th Catalan number defined by $${\displaystyle C_{n}={\frac {1}{n+1}}{2n \choose n}=\prod \limits _{k=2}^{n}{\frac {n+k}{k}}\quad \left(n\geqslant 0\right).}$$ Next, we define ...
Permutator's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
69 views

Analytic formula for $E(\rho):=\sum_{m=0}^\infty \mu_m(\rho)/m!$, with $\mu_m(\rho) := \sum_{k=0}^{m-1}\dfrac{\rho^k}{k+1}{m \choose k}{m-1\choose k}$

Let $\rho \in (0,\infty)$ and for any integer $m \ge 1$, define $\mu_m \ge 0$ by $$ \mu_m := \sum_{k=0}^{m-1}\frac{\rho^k}{k+1}{m \choose k}{m-1\choose k}. $$ Finally define $E \ge 0$ by $$ E := \sum_{...
dohmatob's user avatar
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11 votes
1 answer
643 views

Intuitive Explanation for Number of Dyck Paths Never Going Above Diagonal of a Rectangle

Suppose we have a an $a\times{}b$ rectangle whose bottom-left corner is at $(0,0)$ and whose upper-right corner is at $(b,a)$. Let $a$ and $b$ both be positive integers, and let $b\geq{}a$. If $a$ and ...
The Riddler's user avatar
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1 answer
124 views

How is the diagonal constraint in lattice path needed for the Catalan proofs?

I have been reading about the Catalan numbers and how they are they appear in many problems such as: lattice paths valid pair of parenthesis mountains with up/downstrokes non-crossing handshakes ...
Jim's user avatar
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1 vote
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Counting all possible pairs of parenthesis

If we want to count how many possible pairs $n$ of parenthesis we have when $n = 1$ then I think the way to count is $2 \choose 1$ since if we have $2$ symbols and we pick $one$ position to place $1$ ...
Jim's user avatar
  • 1,581
2 votes
1 answer
129 views

Why are the catalan numbers giving the unique/correct patterns from all the combinations?

I am reading about catalan numbers and they are considered to represent the number of valid pair of parentesis, mountains etc. Although the number checks out correct when comparing against specific ...
Jim's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
41 views

How do we handle the factorials in the binomials/choice numbers?

Apparently the following is a known equality: $\frac{1}{n + 1} {2n \choose n} = \frac{2n!}{n!(n + 1)!} = \frac{1}{2n + 1}{2n + 1 \choose n}$ but I can't really figure out how to produce the equality. ...
Jim's user avatar
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The intuitive correspondence between the multiplication schemes (or triangularizations) and -1s 1s sequences.

I am reading Richard A. Brualdi 's book Introductory Combinatorics (5th Edition). In p.273, the author introduced the correspondence between the multiplication schemes for the n numbers a1, a2, ... ...
chansey's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
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Infinite Catalan Sum involving polynomials

I was solving this problem: Given a coin that lands on heads with $p$ probability, what is the probability that a series of coin flips will end with exactly one more head than tail? For instance, H ...
Shishir Oneal's user avatar

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