I'm not sure if I'm just tired and I'm missing something obvious, but how come I'm obtaining the following: $$(2m+1)^n=\sum_{k=0}^n \binom{n}{ k} (2m)^k = 2 \sum_{k=0}^n \binom{n}{ k} 2^{k-1}m^k $$ This seems to imply any power of an odd integer is even, but $3^2=9$ is an obvious counterexample.
Asked
Active
Viewed 43 times
2
-
Missing the first term $k=0$. – Sarvesh Ravichandran Iyer Mar 11 '18 at 03:42
2 Answers
4
When index $k=0$, $2^{k-1}=\frac12$, the corresponding term ,
$$2 \binom{n}{0}2^{0-1}m^0=1$$is odd.
Siong Thye Goh
- 149,520
- 20
- 88
- 149
2
All has been said:
$k=0$ spoils the party:
$\sum_{k=0}^{n} \binom{n}{k}(2m)^k=$
$ \binom{n}{0}(2m)^0 + 2\sum_{k=1}^{n}\binom{n}{k}(2)^{k-1}m^k.$
The first term in the above sum $=1.$
Hence?
Peter Szilas
- 20,344
- 2
- 17
- 28