Chu-Vandermonde Identity/Proof 1

Theorem

\(\ds \sum_{k \mathop = 0}^n \binom r k \binom s {n - k}\) \(=\) \(\ds \binom r 0 \binom s n + \binom r 1 \binom s {n - 1} + \binom r 2 \binom s {n - 2} + \cdots + \binom r n \binom s 0\)
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \binom {r + s} n\)


Proof

\(\ds \sum_{n \mathop = 0}^{r + s} \binom {r + s} n x^n\) \(=\) \(\ds \paren {1 + x}^{r + s}\) Binomial Theorem for Integral Index
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \paren {1 + x}^r \paren {1 + x}^s\) Exponent Combination Laws
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \sum_{k \mathop = 0}^r \binom r k x^k \sum_{k \mathop = 0}^s \binom s k x^k\) Binomial Theorem for Integral Index
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \sum_{n \mathop = 0}^{r + s} \paren {\sum_{k \mathop = 0}^n \binom r k \binom s {n - k} } x^n\) Product of Absolutely Convergent Series

Therefore:

$\ds \binom {r + s} n = \sum_{k \mathop = 0}^n \binom r k \binom s {n - k}$

$\blacksquare$


Source of Name

This entry was named for Chu Shih-chieh and Alexandre-Théophile Vandermonde.


Sources

  • 1971: George E. Andrews: Number Theory ... (previous) ... (next): $\text {3-4}$ Generating Functions: Exercise $3$
  • 1992: Larry C. Andrews: Special Functions of Mathematics for Engineers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 1.2.4$: Factorials and binomial coefficients: $1.35$
  • 1997: Donald E. Knuth: The Art of Computer Programming: Volume 1: Fundamental Algorithms (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 1.2.6$: Binomial Coefficients: Exercise $17$