$\binom{n}{k} \in N$

57 Views Asked by At

We observe from Pascal's triangle that

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

We prove this statement correct by expanding the right side:

$$\frac{n!}{(k-1)!(n-k+1)!}+\frac{n!}{(k)!(n-k)!}\rightarrow\frac{(n+1)!}{k!(n-k+1)!} $$

Next we assume that it is also true for some number $n+1$:

$$\binom{n+1}{k-1}+\binom{n+1}{k}$$

This is equivalent to:

$$\binom{n+1}{k-1}+\binom{n}{k-1}+\binom{n}{k}$$

Expanding we get:

$$\binom{n+1}{k-1}+\binom{n}{k-1}+\binom{n}{k}\rightarrow\binom{n+2}{k}$$

Which should make the proof complete since we can assert that because of this condition: $0\le k\le n$, and by proving the equality below, all other numbers, being recursively defined, are also natural numbers.

$$\binom{1}{0}=\binom{1}{1}=1$$