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I don't know how to explain that they are counting the same thing, but I can explain the algebra.
 
I don't know how to explain that they are counting the same thing, but I can explain the algebra.
  
First, looking at the left side you have C(2n,2) which equals (2n)!/(2!*(2n-2)!).  This can be "simplified" to (2n*(2n-1))/2 which further simplifies down to 2n^2-n.  The right side starts at 2*C(n,2)+n^2.  so 2*(n!/(2!*(n-2)!))+n^2.  Simplifing this leads to (2*n*(n-1))/2 + n^2 which goes to n^2 - n + n^2 which ofcourse equals 2n^2 - n.  (someone that understands how to make the formulas look nice, feel free to do so).
+
First, looking at the left side you have C(2n,2) which equals <math>\frac{(2n)!}{(2!*(2n-2)!}</math>.  This can be "simplified" to <math>\frac{(2n*(2n-1))}{2}</math>. which further simplifies down to <math>2n^2-n</math>.  The right side starts at <math>2*C(n,2)+n^2</math>.  so <math>2*(\frac{n!}{(2!*(n-2)!)})+n^2</math>.  Simplifing this leads to <math>\frac{(2*n*(n-1))}{2} + n^2</math> which goes to <math>n^2 - n + n^2</math> which ofcourse equals <math>2n^2 - n</math>.  (someone that understands how to make the formulas look nice, feel free to do so).

Revision as of 18:13, 17 September 2008

Can someone explain this one (both a and b... I can't get the algebra to work out)?

I don't know how to explain that they are counting the same thing, but I can explain the algebra.

First, looking at the left side you have C(2n,2) which equals $ \frac{(2n)!}{(2!*(2n-2)!} $. This can be "simplified" to $ \frac{(2n*(2n-1))}{2} $. which further simplifies down to $ 2n^2-n $. The right side starts at $ 2*C(n,2)+n^2 $. so $ 2*(\frac{n!}{(2!*(n-2)!)})+n^2 $. Simplifing this leads to $ \frac{(2*n*(n-1))}{2} + n^2 $ which goes to $ n^2 - n + n^2 $ which ofcourse equals $ 2n^2 - n $. (someone that understands how to make the formulas look nice, feel free to do so).

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Abstract algebra continues the conceptual developments of linear algebra, on an even grander scale.

Dr. Paul Garrett