A tricky combinatorial sum

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I'm looking for a clean expression of the following combinatorial sum :



$$sumlimits_k=0^nfracn choose k^22n choose 2k$$
I recall being told it does have a neat expression.



However, I'm not familiar with combinatorics or anything related to evaluating non trivial finite sums such as this, so I basically lack methods to tacke this.



Any insight would be great !










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    up vote
    5
    down vote

    favorite
    2












    I'm looking for a clean expression of the following combinatorial sum :



    $$sumlimits_k=0^nfracn choose k^22n choose 2k$$
    I recall being told it does have a neat expression.



    However, I'm not familiar with combinatorics or anything related to evaluating non trivial finite sums such as this, so I basically lack methods to tacke this.



    Any insight would be great !










    share|cite|improve this question

























      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite
      2









      up vote
      5
      down vote

      favorite
      2






      2





      I'm looking for a clean expression of the following combinatorial sum :



      $$sumlimits_k=0^nfracn choose k^22n choose 2k$$
      I recall being told it does have a neat expression.



      However, I'm not familiar with combinatorics or anything related to evaluating non trivial finite sums such as this, so I basically lack methods to tacke this.



      Any insight would be great !










      share|cite|improve this question















      I'm looking for a clean expression of the following combinatorial sum :



      $$sumlimits_k=0^nfracn choose k^22n choose 2k$$
      I recall being told it does have a neat expression.



      However, I'm not familiar with combinatorics or anything related to evaluating non trivial finite sums such as this, so I basically lack methods to tacke this.



      Any insight would be great !







      combinatorics summation binomial-coefficients generating-functions






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      share|cite|improve this question













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      edited Sep 1 at 7:56









      Tengu

      2,5021920




      2,5021920










      asked Sep 1 at 3:11









      Harmonic Sun

      2847




      2847




















          2 Answers
          2






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          oldest

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          up vote
          10
          down vote



          accepted










          We can simplify it a bit by rearranging the factorials:
          $$
          fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.
          $$
          So this allows us to factor out a term that does not depend on $n$:
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k.
          $$
          The sum that's left simplifies nicely using generating functions, though I'm not aware of a good way to do it that avoids them. If we start with the identity
          $$
          frac1sqrt1-4x = sum_i ge 0 binom2ii x^i
          $$
          then we can conclude that the coefficient of $x^n$ in the square of $frac1sqrt1-4x$ is precisely the sum we want: the sum as $k$ goes from $0$ to $n$ represents the coefficient of $x^k$ taken from one factor times the coefficient of $x^n-k$ taken from the other. But the coefficient of $x^n$ in $frac11-4x$ is just $4^n$: it's a geometric series. So we conclude that
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k = frac4^nbinom2nn.
          $$






          share|cite|improve this answer




















          • Thank you, neat proof !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:03










          • Nice solution! I have added an answer avoiding the generating function approach.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 14:14

















          up vote
          5
          down vote













          For first part using the same way of rearranging as @MishaLavrov have done:
          $$fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.$$



          The motivation behind doing this was to get a good form, means to make the denominator constant for a constant $n$, so that dealing with the sum can be made easier. Now, to avoid the way of using generating functions to get the sum, I will use combinatorial argument. Let's concentrate on the sum
          $$sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k$$
          Argument:



          For specific group, composed of $2n$ people, they'll choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. To choose such people, group will be divided to $2k$ people group and $2(n-k)$ people group, each for boy and girl. Find the number of cases satisfying the condition(group composed of same people will be considered the same group no matter to the order).
          Then we can do the problem's statement as following: first, choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. second, choose $k$ boys dropouts and $n-k$ girls dropouts. Each doesn't interfere other's case so the formula comes out to be $(sum_k=0^n)binomnk)^2$, which is $4^n$.



          Hence, our required sum:
          $$frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k=frac4^nbinom2nn.$$






          share|cite|improve this answer
















          • 1




            Wow nice one, I didn't think it was possible to sum it with a purely combinatorial argument !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:46










          • @HarmonicSun Yeah, it is a way. You need to develop a situation cleverly, and count the number of such arrangements in two different way. As, no. of such case doesn't matter in which way you have counted, you can relate a form of a binomial expression with another.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 17:19










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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes








          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

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          up vote
          10
          down vote



          accepted










          We can simplify it a bit by rearranging the factorials:
          $$
          fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.
          $$
          So this allows us to factor out a term that does not depend on $n$:
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k.
          $$
          The sum that's left simplifies nicely using generating functions, though I'm not aware of a good way to do it that avoids them. If we start with the identity
          $$
          frac1sqrt1-4x = sum_i ge 0 binom2ii x^i
          $$
          then we can conclude that the coefficient of $x^n$ in the square of $frac1sqrt1-4x$ is precisely the sum we want: the sum as $k$ goes from $0$ to $n$ represents the coefficient of $x^k$ taken from one factor times the coefficient of $x^n-k$ taken from the other. But the coefficient of $x^n$ in $frac11-4x$ is just $4^n$: it's a geometric series. So we conclude that
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k = frac4^nbinom2nn.
          $$






          share|cite|improve this answer




















          • Thank you, neat proof !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:03










          • Nice solution! I have added an answer avoiding the generating function approach.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 14:14














          up vote
          10
          down vote



          accepted










          We can simplify it a bit by rearranging the factorials:
          $$
          fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.
          $$
          So this allows us to factor out a term that does not depend on $n$:
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k.
          $$
          The sum that's left simplifies nicely using generating functions, though I'm not aware of a good way to do it that avoids them. If we start with the identity
          $$
          frac1sqrt1-4x = sum_i ge 0 binom2ii x^i
          $$
          then we can conclude that the coefficient of $x^n$ in the square of $frac1sqrt1-4x$ is precisely the sum we want: the sum as $k$ goes from $0$ to $n$ represents the coefficient of $x^k$ taken from one factor times the coefficient of $x^n-k$ taken from the other. But the coefficient of $x^n$ in $frac11-4x$ is just $4^n$: it's a geometric series. So we conclude that
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k = frac4^nbinom2nn.
          $$






          share|cite|improve this answer




















          • Thank you, neat proof !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:03










          • Nice solution! I have added an answer avoiding the generating function approach.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 14:14












          up vote
          10
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          10
          down vote



          accepted






          We can simplify it a bit by rearranging the factorials:
          $$
          fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.
          $$
          So this allows us to factor out a term that does not depend on $n$:
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k.
          $$
          The sum that's left simplifies nicely using generating functions, though I'm not aware of a good way to do it that avoids them. If we start with the identity
          $$
          frac1sqrt1-4x = sum_i ge 0 binom2ii x^i
          $$
          then we can conclude that the coefficient of $x^n$ in the square of $frac1sqrt1-4x$ is precisely the sum we want: the sum as $k$ goes from $0$ to $n$ represents the coefficient of $x^k$ taken from one factor times the coefficient of $x^n-k$ taken from the other. But the coefficient of $x^n$ in $frac11-4x$ is just $4^n$: it's a geometric series. So we conclude that
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k = frac4^nbinom2nn.
          $$






          share|cite|improve this answer












          We can simplify it a bit by rearranging the factorials:
          $$
          fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.
          $$
          So this allows us to factor out a term that does not depend on $n$:
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k.
          $$
          The sum that's left simplifies nicely using generating functions, though I'm not aware of a good way to do it that avoids them. If we start with the identity
          $$
          frac1sqrt1-4x = sum_i ge 0 binom2ii x^i
          $$
          then we can conclude that the coefficient of $x^n$ in the square of $frac1sqrt1-4x$ is precisely the sum we want: the sum as $k$ goes from $0$ to $n$ represents the coefficient of $x^k$ taken from one factor times the coefficient of $x^n-k$ taken from the other. But the coefficient of $x^n$ in $frac11-4x$ is just $4^n$: it's a geometric series. So we conclude that
          $$
          sum_k=0^n fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k = frac4^nbinom2nn.
          $$







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Sep 1 at 4:10









          Misha Lavrov

          38k55093




          38k55093











          • Thank you, neat proof !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:03










          • Nice solution! I have added an answer avoiding the generating function approach.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 14:14
















          • Thank you, neat proof !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:03










          • Nice solution! I have added an answer avoiding the generating function approach.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 14:14















          Thank you, neat proof !
          – Harmonic Sun
          Sep 1 at 14:03




          Thank you, neat proof !
          – Harmonic Sun
          Sep 1 at 14:03












          Nice solution! I have added an answer avoiding the generating function approach.
          – tarit goswami
          Sep 1 at 14:14




          Nice solution! I have added an answer avoiding the generating function approach.
          – tarit goswami
          Sep 1 at 14:14










          up vote
          5
          down vote













          For first part using the same way of rearranging as @MishaLavrov have done:
          $$fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.$$



          The motivation behind doing this was to get a good form, means to make the denominator constant for a constant $n$, so that dealing with the sum can be made easier. Now, to avoid the way of using generating functions to get the sum, I will use combinatorial argument. Let's concentrate on the sum
          $$sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k$$
          Argument:



          For specific group, composed of $2n$ people, they'll choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. To choose such people, group will be divided to $2k$ people group and $2(n-k)$ people group, each for boy and girl. Find the number of cases satisfying the condition(group composed of same people will be considered the same group no matter to the order).
          Then we can do the problem's statement as following: first, choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. second, choose $k$ boys dropouts and $n-k$ girls dropouts. Each doesn't interfere other's case so the formula comes out to be $(sum_k=0^n)binomnk)^2$, which is $4^n$.



          Hence, our required sum:
          $$frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k=frac4^nbinom2nn.$$






          share|cite|improve this answer
















          • 1




            Wow nice one, I didn't think it was possible to sum it with a purely combinatorial argument !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:46










          • @HarmonicSun Yeah, it is a way. You need to develop a situation cleverly, and count the number of such arrangements in two different way. As, no. of such case doesn't matter in which way you have counted, you can relate a form of a binomial expression with another.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 17:19














          up vote
          5
          down vote













          For first part using the same way of rearranging as @MishaLavrov have done:
          $$fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.$$



          The motivation behind doing this was to get a good form, means to make the denominator constant for a constant $n$, so that dealing with the sum can be made easier. Now, to avoid the way of using generating functions to get the sum, I will use combinatorial argument. Let's concentrate on the sum
          $$sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k$$
          Argument:



          For specific group, composed of $2n$ people, they'll choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. To choose such people, group will be divided to $2k$ people group and $2(n-k)$ people group, each for boy and girl. Find the number of cases satisfying the condition(group composed of same people will be considered the same group no matter to the order).
          Then we can do the problem's statement as following: first, choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. second, choose $k$ boys dropouts and $n-k$ girls dropouts. Each doesn't interfere other's case so the formula comes out to be $(sum_k=0^n)binomnk)^2$, which is $4^n$.



          Hence, our required sum:
          $$frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k=frac4^nbinom2nn.$$






          share|cite|improve this answer
















          • 1




            Wow nice one, I didn't think it was possible to sum it with a purely combinatorial argument !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:46










          • @HarmonicSun Yeah, it is a way. You need to develop a situation cleverly, and count the number of such arrangements in two different way. As, no. of such case doesn't matter in which way you have counted, you can relate a form of a binomial expression with another.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 17:19












          up vote
          5
          down vote










          up vote
          5
          down vote









          For first part using the same way of rearranging as @MishaLavrov have done:
          $$fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.$$



          The motivation behind doing this was to get a good form, means to make the denominator constant for a constant $n$, so that dealing with the sum can be made easier. Now, to avoid the way of using generating functions to get the sum, I will use combinatorial argument. Let's concentrate on the sum
          $$sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k$$
          Argument:



          For specific group, composed of $2n$ people, they'll choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. To choose such people, group will be divided to $2k$ people group and $2(n-k)$ people group, each for boy and girl. Find the number of cases satisfying the condition(group composed of same people will be considered the same group no matter to the order).
          Then we can do the problem's statement as following: first, choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. second, choose $k$ boys dropouts and $n-k$ girls dropouts. Each doesn't interfere other's case so the formula comes out to be $(sum_k=0^n)binomnk)^2$, which is $4^n$.



          Hence, our required sum:
          $$frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k=frac4^nbinom2nn.$$






          share|cite|improve this answer












          For first part using the same way of rearranging as @MishaLavrov have done:
          $$fracbinom nk^2binom2n2k = fracfracn!,n!k!,k!,(n-k)!,(n-k)!frac(2n)!(2k)!,(2n-2k)! = fracn!,n!(2n)! cdot frac(2k)!k!,k! cdot frac(2n-2k)!(n-k)!,(n-k)! = fracbinom2kk binom2(n-k)n-kbinom2nn.$$



          The motivation behind doing this was to get a good form, means to make the denominator constant for a constant $n$, so that dealing with the sum can be made easier. Now, to avoid the way of using generating functions to get the sum, I will use combinatorial argument. Let's concentrate on the sum
          $$sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k$$
          Argument:



          For specific group, composed of $2n$ people, they'll choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. To choose such people, group will be divided to $2k$ people group and $2(n-k)$ people group, each for boy and girl. Find the number of cases satisfying the condition(group composed of same people will be considered the same group no matter to the order).
          Then we can do the problem's statement as following: first, choose $k$ boys and $(n-k)$ girls. second, choose $k$ boys dropouts and $n-k$ girls dropouts. Each doesn't interfere other's case so the formula comes out to be $(sum_k=0^n)binomnk)^2$, which is $4^n$.



          Hence, our required sum:
          $$frac1binom2nn sum_k=0^n binom2kkbinom2(n-k)n-k=frac4^nbinom2nn.$$







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Sep 1 at 14:09









          tarit goswami

          1,160219




          1,160219







          • 1




            Wow nice one, I didn't think it was possible to sum it with a purely combinatorial argument !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:46










          • @HarmonicSun Yeah, it is a way. You need to develop a situation cleverly, and count the number of such arrangements in two different way. As, no. of such case doesn't matter in which way you have counted, you can relate a form of a binomial expression with another.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 17:19












          • 1




            Wow nice one, I didn't think it was possible to sum it with a purely combinatorial argument !
            – Harmonic Sun
            Sep 1 at 14:46










          • @HarmonicSun Yeah, it is a way. You need to develop a situation cleverly, and count the number of such arrangements in two different way. As, no. of such case doesn't matter in which way you have counted, you can relate a form of a binomial expression with another.
            – tarit goswami
            Sep 1 at 17:19







          1




          1




          Wow nice one, I didn't think it was possible to sum it with a purely combinatorial argument !
          – Harmonic Sun
          Sep 1 at 14:46




          Wow nice one, I didn't think it was possible to sum it with a purely combinatorial argument !
          – Harmonic Sun
          Sep 1 at 14:46












          @HarmonicSun Yeah, it is a way. You need to develop a situation cleverly, and count the number of such arrangements in two different way. As, no. of such case doesn't matter in which way you have counted, you can relate a form of a binomial expression with another.
          – tarit goswami
          Sep 1 at 17:19




          @HarmonicSun Yeah, it is a way. You need to develop a situation cleverly, and count the number of such arrangements in two different way. As, no. of such case doesn't matter in which way you have counted, you can relate a form of a binomial expression with another.
          – tarit goswami
          Sep 1 at 17:19

















           

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