If is an integer and is a real number where , evaluate:
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By rewriting and using the binomial theorem, k = 0 ∑ n k ! ( n − k ) ! p k ( 1 − p ) n − k n ! = k = 0 ∑ n ( k n ) p k ( 1 − p ) n − k = ( p + ( 1 − p ) ) n = 1 n = 1
Note: This actually holds for any real number p = 0 , 1 (and it will hold for p = 0 , 1 as well if we define 0 0 = 1 as is natural in discrete mathematics).